NARRATIVE 


OF  A 

EXTRAORDINARY  WORK  OF  RELIGION 
IN 
NORTH  CAROLINA, 

BT  THE  REV.  JAMES  HALL. 


ALSO  A 
COLLECTION    OF    INTERESTING    LETTERS. 

FROM    THI 

REV.  JAMES  MCQRZLE, 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 

THE  AGREEABLE  INTELLIGENCE  OF  A  REVIVAL  IN 
SOUTH  CAROLINA. 


Amu  ■_-• A  to  *hc  above  is  an  astonishing  instance  of  the  Power  of  Conscience 
—The  f  ilv  or  Atheism,  and  i  Poerj  v.ritten  by  a  young  Lady  of  Phila- 
delphia, af.er  the  death  of  her  rather. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

I    r.r.d    Published   by   William  Vvr.  V/oonwAE©,  at  hk 
Divinity,  Law  and  Medical  Book  Store,  No.  52, 
O.mer  of  S( .  Chcsnut  S. 


1302, 


v 


TO  THE  PUBLIC. 

rr*HE  Publisher  is  happy  to  have  it  in  his  power  I. 
•*■  the  candid investigator ,  with  a  collection  of  accounts  , 
worthy  hi-c:  cr  her  serious  and  attentive  perusal.  The  following 
yunts  from  North  and  South  Caroi  \  2,  a:  ejromgmilemt 
7  as  well  as  literature — He  does  not  hesitate  to  say  t 
their  scarce  is-  good,  and  their  productions  genuine. — Hejtir* 
t/ier  informs  his  reader,  that  were  he  to  publish  the  numerous 
accounts  he  is  constantly  receiving  on  the  important  subject , 
from  the  other  States  on  the  Continent — materials  sufficient 
would  present  themselves  to  form  a  considerable  volume,  lie 
has  accounts  from  Kentucky  from  a  respectable  character — 
that  JReligion  progresses,  and  that  the  genuine  fruits  of  the 
Divine  principle  are  evidently  displayed  in  the  subjects  of  the 
late  work. — lie  sous,  the  noise  of  these  meetings  appear:,  to 
have  subsided  in  a  great  measure,  and  awful  solemnity  per- 
vades the  different  meetings  for  Divine  worship.  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  many  who  have  considered  the  accounts  as  extra- 
vagant— and  who  were  more  ready  to  ascribe  the  whole  to 
the  agency  of  an  infernal  spirit,  than  to  the  Spirit  of  Jehovah, 
when  they  read  the  foregoing — consider  the  characters  men- 
tioned in  the  work — the  indefatigable  zeal  in  which  tht  y  have 
been  crnployed — the  labor  night  and  day,  -without  recompence, 
but  7 n  an  anxious  Solicitude  jor  the  welfare  of  the  souls  of 
iheir  fellow -mortals — will  be  constrained  to  say,  "the  work  is 
the  Lord^s  and  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  The  Beauties  of  the 
Evangelical  Magazine  now  in  the  press,  in  two  octavo .volumes, 
will  form  a  cloud  of  witnesses  on  the  subject  sufficient  to  cover 
the  sun  of  worldly  Philosophy  in  the  h.orrors  of  midnight 
darkness. 

Editor, 


W.  W.  WOODWARD, 


Is  publishing  at  his  Divinity,  Law  and  Medical  Book  Store, 
No.  52,  Corner  of  Second  and  Chesnut-Strects, 


The  Song  of  Songs,  which  is  by  Solomon,  with 
a  Commentary,  Notes,  &x.  to  be  delivered  to 
Subscribers  at  150  cents  in  boards,  neatly  prin- 
ted. 

Vol.  I.  Of  the  Beauties  of  the  Evangelical  Maga- 
zine will  be  ready  for  Subscribers  in  a  few  days, 
to  be  delivered  to  them  on  their  advancing  the 
price  of  the  two  Volumes,  viz.  4  Dollars.  The 
Second  Volume  will  be  completed  in  a  few  weeks. 

JUST  PUBLISHED, 

The  Second  Edition  of  the  whole  Works  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  John  Witherspoon,  in  4  large  Odtavo 
Volumes.  -  ...  8.   50. 

The  Village  Dialogues,  by  the  Rev.  R.  Hill.       25. 

Wright  on  Regeneration,  and  Hawies  on  the  Sa- 
crament bound  together.        -         -         -         871. 


Npvexnber  1,  1802. 


Jt: -~ 


AN 


Interesting  Narrative 


OF     THE 


.  al  of  Religion  In  that  part  of  N.  Carolina,  which  lies 
South-west  of  the  Tod  kin  River.  In  a  letter  from  the 
Rev.  JAMES  HALL,  of  that  State  to  the  Editor. 


Iredell  County,  N.  Carolina,  May  4,  1802. 
Sir, 

PLEASE  to  accept  of  my  grateful  acknowledge 
ments  for  the  copy  of  your  proposals  for  publish- 
ing  extracts  from  the  Evangelical  Magazine,  &c. 
you  may  expect  my  interest  in  promoting  your  laud- 
able design. 

As  the  revival  of  Religion  has,  through  the  good- 
ness and  mercy  of  God,  reached  this  part  of  his 
vineyard,  a  few  sketches,  as  to  its  rise  and  pro- 
gress, in  that  part  of  our  State,  which  lies  between 
Yodkin  and  Catawba  rivers,  may  not  be  unaccept- 
able to  you ;  and  if  they  should  contribute  to  the 
promotion  of  your  design,  will  tend  to  our  mutual 
satisfaction. 

Last  August  the  revival  began  in  Orange  and 
Gilford  Counties,  which  lie  N.  E.  of  the  Yodkin. 
To  those  the  work  was  chiefly  confined  until  the  last 
week  of  January,  at  which  time  a  general  meeting 
was  appointed  in  Randolph  County,  to  the  South- 
ward of  Guilford,  where  some  of  my  fellow-pres- 
byters and  myself  were  invited  to  attend.  Accord- 
ingly, Dr.  M'Corkle,  Messrs.  Lewis  F.   Wilson, 

B 


(    6    3 

Joseph  D.  Kilpatrick  and  myself  set  out  with  about 
100  of  our  people,  having  to  go  from  50  to  80 
miles. 

We  who  were  ministers  went  on  horse -back,  and 
the  rest  in  waggons.  My  people  about,  40  in  num- 
ber, were  alone,  except  two  families  who  travelled 
with  them.  The  clergy  passed  on  before  the  waggons, 
and  arrived  at  the  place  of  meeting  on  Friday.  That 
night  my  people  lodged  within  five  miles  of  the 
place,  where  a  remarkable  circumstance  happened 
among  them. 

At  evening  prayer  in  the  house  where  they  lodged, 
a  man  about  30  years  old  became  deeply  affected, 
who  I  believe  was  pious  from  an  early  period  of 
youth.  Impressions  immediately  ran  through  the 
assembly  like  fire  along  a  train  of  powder;  so  that 
in  a  very  short  time  almost  all  the  young  people, 
who  composed  about  three-fourths  of  the  company, 
became  religiously  exercised. 

The  fathers  were  filled  with  astonishment,  as  none 
present  had  ever  beheld  such  a  scene. 

Nothing  but  cries  could  be  heard  for  a  consider- 
able time.  When  those  had  in  a  measure  subsided, 
the  fathers  spent  the  greater  part  of  the  night  in 
prayer  and  exhortations. 

Public  worship  was  begun  next  day  before  they 
arrived  at  the  place  of  meeting.  They  took  their 
seats,  and  attended  with  composure  until  the  assem- 
bly separated,  which  was  in  the  evening  twilight. 
They  then  retired  to  their  tent.  I  did  not  follow 
for  about  half  an  hour,  allowing  them  some  time  of 
relaxation,  as  I  expected  our  meeting  would  be  a 
tender  scene. 

When  I  went  to  them  they  exhibited  to  me  a 
spectacle  truly  affecting.  Not  less  than  20  of  the 
young  people  were  lying  in  sore  distress,  and  utter- 
ing ardent  cries  for  mercy.  A  multitude  had  collec- 
ted round  them  before  I  came.  My  brethren  and  I 
could  do  nothing  but  pray  for  them,  as  they  were 
fa  no  situation  for  conversation. 


(    7    ) 

Some  of  them,  who,  I  believe,  were  pious  before, 
obtained  comfort  that  night;  the  others  remained  in 
distress. 

Doctor  M'Corkle  had  previously  mentioned  to 
me,  his  desire,  that  his  young  people  and  mine 
should  spend  the  evening  together.  After  some 
lime  spent  with  us  in  prayer,  he  returned  to  his 
young  people,  and  found  the  greater  part  of  them 
religiously  exercised. 

Next  morning,  which  was  the  Sabbath,  Mr.  Kil- 
patrick  came  to  me  in  much  distress,  and  told  me, 
he  feared  God  had  forsaken  his  little  flock,  as  not 
one  of  them  was  affected. 

About  that  time  his  young  people,  and  some  of 
Dr.  M'Corkles,  retired  to  the  woods,  and  spent 
some  time  in  social  prayer.  When  the  hour  of 
public  worship  approached,  and  they  were  about  to 
return,  some  of  them  were  struck  down.;  and  in  a, 
short  time  the  greater  part  of  them  were  so  affected, 
that  others  were  obliged  to  supply  them  with  fire 
and  camp-furniture;  and  they  lay  there  until  nine 
o'clock  the  next  day,  before  they  could  return  to 
camp. 

In  fine,  before  our  return  home  more  than  nine 
tenths  of  our  young  people  were  deeply  impressed 
with  a  sense  of  the  great  importance  of  salvation. 

Only  two  families  of  Mr.  Wilson's  people  went 
with  him,  as  they  lay  most  remote  from  the  place 
of  meeting;  but  of  those  who  went,  as  great  a  pro- 
portion were  affected  as  of  others. 

I  would  not  have  entered  into  such  a  minute  detail 
of  so  man\-  local  circumstances,  which  singly  view- 
ed, might  not  appear  very  interesting  to  the  public, 
only  for  this  consideration.  In  all  our  charges,  those 
who  followed  us  to  that  place  were  of  those  families' 
who  had  been  principally  engaged  in  promoting,  and 
holding  religious  societies,  and  were  engaged  in 
fervent  prayer  for  a  time  of  refreshing  from  the  pre- 
sence of  the  Lord;  some  of  them  for  more  than  18 
months  before  that  time.     And  should  this  little 


I    8    ) 

narrative  be  thought  worthy  of  the  public  eye,  my 
design  in  it  is,  to  encourage  God's  children  to  be 
fervent  at  the  throne  of  grace,  not  only  in  secret. 
but  social  prayer. 

From  what  I  have  known  of  the  fervency  and  per. 
severing  importunity  of  those  families  upon  whom 
that  remarkable  effusion  of  divine  grace  fell,  I  think 
I  never  saw  a  geometrical  proposition  demonstrated 
with  more  clear  evidence  than  I  have  seen  an  answer 
given  to  the  prayers  of  those  pious  parents  who  sent, 
or  conducted,  their  children  on  that  happy  tour. 

As  the  greater  part  of  our  young  people  received 
comfort  before  they  returned  home,  it  is  easier  to 
conceive  of  than  describe  the  joy  of  the  parents  and 
children  at  their  meeting. 

On  my  return  I  preached  at  four  different  places 
before  I  came  home;  consequently  my  people  were 
at  home  a  Sabbath  before  my  arrival. 

Societies  were  holden  in  three  different  parts  of 
my  charge,  in  all  of  which  the  work  broke  out  like 
fire,  and  was  making  rapid  progress  before  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  attending  even  at  one  society. 

Our  meeting  in  Randolph  was  on  the  first  week 
of  January.  Since  that  time  religion  has  made  rapid 
progress  among  my  people;  and  so  happy  are  we  in 
unanimity  of  sentiments  respecting  that  glorious 
work,  there  is  not  one  among  us  who  will  suffer 
himself  to  be  accounted  an  opposer,  and  very  few 
seem  to  view  it  with  disgust.  But  in  many  of  our 
neighbouring  societies  it  is  far  otherwise.  Many  of 
our  people  are  opposed  to  the  work;  but  of  those. 
some  of  the  most  obstinate  have  already  submitted 
to  it  as  a  display  of  the  mighty  power  of  God. 

There  are  two  denominations  scattered  among  n;;,. 
who  bear  the  Christian  name,  "who  are  almost,  tq 
one  individual,  opposed  to  the  work.  But  this  need 
not  be  thought  strange,  as  it  has  been  a  uniform 
case  with  them  to  oppose  themselves  to  what  other, 
denominations  call  th<  of  the  effusion 

Holy  Spirit  on  the  church  of  Chri 


(     5     ) 

As  to  the  progress  of  the  -work  in  the  counties  of 
Orange,  Guilford  and  Randolph,  you  will  probably 
have  an  account  from  the  members  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Orange,  whose  bounds  include  those  counties. 

From  a  view  of  the  advantages  apparently  arising 
from  general  meetings,  the  members  of  the  Pres- 
bytery of  Concord,  of  which  I  am  a  member,  ap- 
pointed one  on  the  last  week  of  January,  near  the 
centre  of  this  county. 

The  number  of  waggons  which  came  to  the  ground, 
besides  riding  carriages,  was  about  108.  The  num- 
ber of  persons  who  attended  on  Sabbath,  about 
four  thousand. 

Divine  service  began  on  Friday  at  2  o'clock.  At 
that  juncture  a  rain  began  to  fall,  which  continued 
until  near  night.  A  considerable  number  were  exer- 
cised that  evening.  Next  morning  a  considerable 
heavy  sieet  began  to  fail  about  9  o'clock,  then  snow, 
which  terminated  in  a  heavy  rain.  This  continued 
until  four  in  the  afternoon;  and  the  day  was  without 
exception  the  most  inclement  of  any  during  the 
whole  winter. 

Notwithstanding  this,  the  people  collected  at  ten, 
in  two  assemblies,  and  all  ages  and  sexes  stood  there 
exposed  until  sun  setting.  Exercises  went  on  ra- 
pidly, and  large  numbers  were  deeply  affected. 

The  work  went  on  gradually  increasing,  until 
Tuesday  morning,  except  a  few  hours  before  day 
on  Monday  morning,  when  the  camp  was  chiefly 
silent.  At  9  on  Tuesday  morning  the  people  were 
assembled  in  the  centre  of  the  square,  and  after 
some  time  spent  in  prayer  and  exhortation,  were 
dismissed.  Many  who  went  away  unaffected  weir 
struck  with  convictions  on  their  return,  and  others 
after  they  went  home. 

No  attempt  was  made  to  ascertain  the  number  of 
those  who  were  affected  with  religious  exercises, 
but  there  must  have  been  during  the  meeting,  seve- 
ral hundreds. 

There  were  present  eight  Presbyterians,  one 
Baptist,  and  two  Methodist  Ministers. 


(    io   ) 

Two  weeks  after  the  above  meeting  we  held  ano- 
ther, near  Morganton,  60  miles  to  the  westward* 
The  country  there  is  thinly  inhabited,  and  the  pro- 
fessors of  religion  few  in  number;  yet  a  considerable 
number  were  deeply  affecled,  and  circumstances 
were  as  premising  as  could  be  expected  from  the 
state  of  the  country. 

On  the  2d.  week  of  March  we  held  another  gene* 
ral  meeting,  ten  miles  to  the  southward  of  the  first, 
at  the  Cross  Roads,  near  the  lower  end  of  this  coun- 
ty. The  number  of  waggons,  besides  riding  carriages, 
was  262.  Divine  service  began  on  Friday  afternoon, 
and  we  continued  together  until  Tuesday  at  noon. 
Religious  impressions  began  to  appear  in  an  early 
period  of  the  business,  and  had  a  remarkable  growth 
until  the  close  of  the  meetinar.  Many  hundreds 
were  constrained  to  cry  aloud  for  mercy,  of  whom 
many  went  home  rejoicing,  as  well  as  others  who 
came  to  the  place  under  deep  distress. 

The  number  of  those  who  were  present  on  Sab- 
bath ;  was  estimated  from  8000  to  10000.  They 
were  divided  into  four  worshipping  assemblies. 
Those  were  all  numerous.  Of  ministers  present, 
as  far  as  recollection  serves,  there  were  fourteen 
Presbyterians,  three  Methodists,  two  Baptists,  one 
Kpiscopalian,  one  Dutch  Calvinist,  and  two  Ger- 
man Lutherans. 

It  was  pleasing  to  those' who  were  friends  of   vital 

piety  to  see  such  a  gradual  and  increasing  work  going 

on,   day  after  day,   until  Monday,  on  which  day  and 

t  night,  J  suppose  that  the  number  of  exercised 

v  rsons  was  equal  to  all  who  were   aflected  on  the 

.  ding  days. 

Many  left   the   place  with  comfortable   sensations 
nind;   both  of  those  who  had  been  formerly  and 
r'y  convicted,  and  many  others  went  away  under 
deep  and  heavy  convictions. 

Two  weeks  after  this  meeting  we  held  another  in 
Mecklinburg  County,  near  the  southern  boundary 
pf  this    state.      The   number   present  was  about  a 
'  V  ss  than,  that  last  juentioned. 


{  11  ) 

Twelve  Presbyterian  ministers,  one  Baptist  and 
one  Methodist  attended.  Worship  began,  as  usual, 
on  Friday,  and  continued  until  near  noon  on  Tues- 
day. 

Never  did  I  see  a  set  of  men  labour  with  more 
assiduity  than  the  ministers  laboured  from  Friday 
noon  until  Sabbath  night  at  9  o'clock,  during  which 
time,  among  the  vast  multitude  which  attended,  not 
more  than  ten  persons  were  visibly  affected  with  re- 
ligious exercises. 

When  night  came  on,  the  people  had  assembled 
at  five  different  places  in  the  encampment,  at  which 
the  ministers  attended.  Near  the  above  hour,  re- 
ligious exercises  began  in  all  the  assemblies;  and, 
from  what  could  be  ascertained,  there  were  not  more 
than  fifteen,  perhaps  not  more  than  five  minutes  of 
time,  when  the  work  began  in  those  several  places. 
Exercises,  prayers  and  exhortations  continued  du- 
ring the  whole  night. 

That  dispensation,  in  the  eye  of  the  impartial  in- 
quirer, is  sufficient  to  obviate  the  objection  against 
the  work,  "  That  it  is  the  work  of  man — from  the 
power  of  oratory,"  &c.  as  I  am  certain  there  were, 
before  that  time  many  instances  of  more  powerful 
oratory  than  we  were  capable  of  exhibiting  at  thai 
late  period,  in  such  an  exhausted  state.  Nor  could 
such  effects  be  produced  by  communications  from 
one  assembly  to  another,  either  by  intelligence  or 
noise;  for  no  two  of  the  several  assemblies  knew 
how  each  other  was  affected  until  a  considerable 
later  period  of  the  night. 

At  break  of  day  public  instructions  ceased  until 
nine  in  the  morning.  At  that  time  a  sermon  was 
preached  at  the  public  stand  in  the  centre  of  the  en- 
campment. Few,  if  any,  were  exercised  until  after 
sermon,  when  six  ministers  continued  worship  by 
prayer  in  rotation.  This  exhibited  a  scene  to  which 
I  never  saw  any  thing  similar.  I  am  well  assured, 
that  many  more  than  a  hundred  sunk  down  in  less 
than  half  an  hour;  and  what  was  remarkable  in  Such 


(      12     ) 

a  scene,  there  was  scarcely  a  cry  to  be  heard.  This 
I  perfectly  recollect,  that  the  speakers  were  distinct- 
ly heard  during  the  concert  of  prayer.  But  fervent 
supplications,  and  cries  for  mercy  soon  began. 

Shortly  afterwards  one  of  the  ministers  rose  to 
recid,  and  make  a  few  observations  on  the  vision  of 
tilt  dry  bones,  (Ezek.  37.  chap.)  but  such  were  the 
cries,  and  the  astonished  state  of  the  audience,  that 
I  suppose  he  could  not  call  the  attention  of  twenty 
persons — He  read  a  few  verses,  and  sat  down. 

Those  in  distress  were  generally  taken  to  their  res- 
pective tents,  where  many  followed. 

Some  of  the  ministers  continued  at  the  public 
stand,  others  went  to  the  tents  where  crowds  attend- 
ed. The  work  went  on  all  that  day,  and  a  great  part 
of  the  following  night;  so  that,  I  believe,  could  the 
aggregate  have  been  ascertained,  although  the  work 
began  at  so  late  a  period,  as  great  a  proportion  was 
affected  as  had  been  at  any  former  meeting. 

At  our  first  meeting  in  this  county  we  had  prepa- 
red to  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  sup- 
per; but  so  numerous  were  the  persons  in  distress, 
and  so  loud  were  the  cries,  that  we  declined  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  ordinance.  At  the  two  latter 
we  removed  the  communion  table  to  a  considerable 
distance  from  the  places  of  preaching,  where  we 
administered  the  ordinance  without  embarrassment. 
At  the  first  we  had  about  600,  and  at  the  second 
near  500  communicants. 

At  all  our  meetings  a  considerable  number  pro- 
fessed to  obtain  the  comforts  of  religion,  and  of 
those  I  have  not  heard  of  one  whose  conduct  has 
dishonoured  their  profession. 

Praying  societies  are  formed  in  all  our  congrega- 
tions, both  supplied  and  vacant.  In  those  the  work 
seems  to  be  promoted  as  much,  and  often  more  than 
in  our  congregational  assemblies. 

The  face  of  the  public,  in  point  of  morals,  is  evi- 
dently changed  for  the  better,  even  in  those  pla 
where  the  good  work  has  not  reached. 


(     13     ) 


It  is  to  mc  no  inconsiderable  proof  that  the  work 
is  carried  on  by  the  same  divine,  omnipresent  Spirit, 
when  I  behold  such  a  sameness  of  exercises  in  the 
different  subjects. 

It  is  granted,  that  those  exercises,  or  affections 
which  are  merely  bodily,  are  very  different,  which 
no  doubt,  arises  from  the  different  temperament  or 
habit  of  body.  The  same  difference  is  obvious  in 
different  constitutions  or  habits  of  body,  as  to  swoon- 
ing, outcries,  &c.  when  the  matter  of  grief  or  terror 
is  the  same,  and  the  distress  equally  pungent.  But 
those  exercises  which  are  mental,  appear  generally 
to  run  in  the  same  channel.  This  can  neither  be 
from  sympathy  nor  imitation;  for  I  have  observed 
the  same  in  the  state  of  Tennesee  more  than  18 
months  ago,  as  well  as  in  various  places  in  this  state, 
where  the  subjects  had  never  seen  any  other  person 
in  a  similar  situation. 

The  first  cry  is  usually  for  mercy,  although  I 
have  attended  upon  sundry  persons,  who  when  first 
struck,  have  been  so  overwhelmed  with  a  sense  of 
guilt,  that  they  have  told  me,  they  were  afraid  to 
ask  for  mercy.  But  this  state  is  usually  of  short 
continuance,  * 

And  among  the  hundreds  to  whose  exercises  I 
have  attended,  have  been  pleasingly  surprized  to 
find  so  few  cases  of  despondency,  and  not  one  in- 
stance of  what  may  be  called  despair.  This  has 
been  the  more  remarkable,  when  such  sluices  of 
convictions  have  been  opened  upon  the  consciences 
of  sinners,  as  to  extort  such  bitter  out- cries,  and 
produce  such  terrible  effects  upon  the  body. 

After  fervent  cries  for  mercy,  there  are  usually 
complaints  of  unbelief  obstinacy  and  hardness  of 
heart,  together  with  importunate  pleading  that  those 
may  be  renewed.  Then  there  will  appear  glimmer- 
ing hopes  of  salvation  through  a  Redeemer,  who 
seems  to  appear  afar  off.  Here  are  p  teachings  indeed! 
Sometimes  one  person  of  the  adorable  Trinity, 
and  sometimes  another  is  addressed,  according  to 

C 


r  14  > 

his  respective  province  in  the  economy  of  man's 
salvation.  This  is  more  especially  the  case  with 
those  who  have  been  previously  well  instructed  in 
the  doctrines  of  the  gospel. 

In  the  supplications  of  those  who  are  ignorant, 
there  is  not  such  a  variety;  but  even  their  addresses, 
especially  those  of  children,  are  really  astonishing. 
When  hopes  of  pardon  appear,  the  importunity,  if 
possible,  becomes  more  incessant.  Never  did  an 
humble  and  dutiful  child,  pleading  for  a  favour  from 
a  compassionate  father,  offer  more  humble,  fervent 
and  affectionate  petitions,  than  are  here  used  for  ac- 
ceptance with  God  through  a  Mediator.  O  for 
faith,  for  more  faith,  is  the  usual  cry. 

When  the  patient  receives  comfort,  he  generally 
lies  silent;  wrapt  in  deep  contemplation.  Then 
some  rise  in  raptures  of  joy  and  praise;  others  in 
silence,  with  a  placid  serenity  spread  over  the  coun- 
tenance. In  both  it  is  almost  incredible  what  a 
change  it  makes  on  the  countenance,  which  in  many 
will  be  visible,  not  only  for  days,  but  weeks. 

In  attending  on  some  of  those  cases,  I  have  often 
thought,  that  were  I  to  set  down  and  commit  to 
writing  the  manner  in  which  I  believe,  from  the 
scriptures  of  truth,  the  spirit  of  God  deals  with  a 
sinner,  in  bringing  him  from  a  state  of  nature  to  a 
state  of  grace — from  the  time  he  is  first  convicted 
of  the  evil  of  sin  until  he  has  a  saving  discovery  of 
the  mercy  of  God  through  the  mediation  of  Christ, 
I  know  not  how  I  could  succeed  better  than  by  re- 
cording the  exercises  of  some  on  whom  I  have  wait- 
ed; although  as  to  others,  who  are  the  subjects  of 
severe  exercises,  it  is  evident  to  those  tolerably  well 
read  in  the  anatomy  of  the  human  heart,  that  though 
they  rise  comfortable,  may  be  still  in  the  bond  of 
iniquity. 

This  is  not  saying,  but  the  most  scrutinizing 
christian  may  be  mistaken  as  to  the  experiences  or 
exercises  of  another;  but  wc  must  form  our  opinion 
according  to  our  best  evidence  drawn  from  the  word 


(     15     ) 

of  God.  And  ii'  among  the  subjects  of  the  present 
work  some  should  persevere,  and  others  draw  back, 
this  is  no  more  than  can  be  expected;  as  the  pro- 
duction will  be  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil 
on  which  the  seed  of  the  word  is  sown  in  the  human 
heart. 

When  comfort  is  not  obtained  in  those  exercises, 
the  subjects  are  generally  left  under  deep  convictions 
of  sin,  and  are  usually  exercised  again,  some  five 
or  six  times  before  they  obtain  comfort.  Of  those 
who  have  received  comfort  the  first  time  they  have 
been  exercised,  I  have  not  known  any  whose  reli- 
gious hopes  have  not  been  afterwards  shaken,  and 
have  fallen  under  exercises  again.  Frequently  such 
will  rise  under  clouds,  which  will  not  be  removed 
until  they  have  undergone  another,  perhaps  frequent 
exercises,  before  their  comforts  be  restored. 

Those  exercises  do  not  appear  to  be  confined  to 
those  Mho  never  had  experienced  the  power  of  re- 
ligion before.  I  believe  many  are  the  subjects  of 
them  who  have  long  been  acquainted  with  vital 
piety. 

This  answers  many  valuable  purposes,  as  it 
quickens  their  graces,  brightens  their  evidences, 
attaches  them  more  warmly  to  the  revival,  and 
makes  them  more  assistant  to  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel. 

Nor  is  this  happy  revival  confined  to  those  who 
are  under  vibible  bodily  exercises.  I  believe  that 
many  more  are  affected  in  what  may  be  called  God's 
usual  way.  With  many  such  I  have  conversed, 
who  appear  to  be  under  deep  and  rational  conviction, 
and  who  think  they  have  no  valid  impressions,  be- 
cause they  are  not  the  subjects  of  those  violent 
exercises.  Some  of  this  class,  with  whom  I  have 
conversed,  who,  I  have  every  reason  to  believe, 
have  availed  themselves  of  the  benefits  of  Christ's 
mediation,  dare  not  appropriate  the  comforts  of  re- 
ligion, because  they  have  not  those  extatic  joys 
which  they  perceive  in  others. 


(      16     ) 

It  is  matter  of  gratitude  to  every  pious  mind  to 
see  how  a  propitious  Providence  has  smiled  on  our 
general  meetings.  These  have  instrumentally  spread 
the  work  200  miles,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree, 
from  east  to  west,  and  near  100  from  north  to  south; 
though  in  those  bounds  a  very  small  minority  have 
felt  its  happy  effects.  But  the  work  is  evidently 
spreading,  and  we  hope  will  diffuse  itself  until  the 
whole  be  levened. 

We  are  extremely  happy  in  the  coalescence  of  our 
Methodist  and  Baptist  brethren  with  us  in  this  great 
and  good  work.  Party  doctrines  are  laid  aside, 
and  nothing  heard  from  the  pulpit  but  the  practical 
and  experimental  doclrines  of  the  gospel. 

To-morrow  I  expeclto  set  out  to  a  general  meet- 
ing, appointed  near  the  boundary  of  Guilford  and 
Rowan  counties,  on  middle  ground,  between  the 
presbyteries  of  Orange  and  Concord.  Another  com- 
mences on  Friday,  the  21st.  instant,  on  middle 
ground,  between  the  first  Presbytery  of  S.  Carolina 
and  Concord.  Our  members  are  to  divide  between 
those  meetings. 

May  13th,  This  day  I  returned  home  from  the 
meeting  near  the  Guilford  and  Rowan  boundary. 
Five  Baptist,  four  Methodist  and  four  Presbyterian 
ministers  attended.  The  place  of  meeting  was  at  a 
house  of  worship,  supplied  with  a  stated  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church.  The  happy  fruits  of  our  meet- 
ing at  Randolph  now  appear  there.  So  great  is  the. 
work  there,  arising  from  that  meeting,  that  the  pas- 
tor of  that  church  baptized  28  persons  on  the  fust 
Sabbath  of  this  month. 

Appearances  at  our  general  meeting  were  much 
as  above  described  at  other  places.  Many  Mere 
awakened,  and  a  considerable  number  professed  to 
obtain  the  comforts  of  religion. 

A  letter  I  received  to  day,  soliciting  my  atten- 
dance at  another  general  meeting  in  Rutherford 
county,  80  miles  to  the  Westward,* to  commence 
on  the  first  Friday  of  next  month,  at  which  I  ex- 
pert to  attend. 


(     17     ) 

The  letter  gives  pleasing  accounts  of  the  happy 
effects  of  our  little  meeting  near  Morganton.  The 
contemplated  meeting  is  to  be  about  30  miles  to  the 
southwest,  where  it  appears  that  the  happy  influence 
of  the  other  meeting  has  reached  them. 

What  shall  we  render  to  the  gracious  King  of 
Zion  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  wonderful  works 
to  the  unworthy  children  of  men! 

What  I  have  written  are  mere  introductory 
sketches  to  what  might  be  said  on  what  I  have  seen 
during  the  last  three  months.  Volumes  might  be 
written  on  the  subject.  Many  of  the  scenes  to 
which  I  have  been  witness  baffle  description. 

At  a  communion  in  my  own  church  on  the  first 
Sabbath  of  this  month  we  had  a  solemnity  from 
Friday  noon  until  Tuesday  morning,  during  which 
time  there  was  scarcely  any  recess  of  exercises  day 
or  night,  and  a  far  greater  proportion  of  the  assem- 
bly were  religiously  affected  than  I  had  ever  seen 
at  our  public  meetings. 

May  God  carry  on  his  work  until  righteousness 
cover  the  earth  as  the  waters  cover  the  seas,  and  the 
nations  of  the  world  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  affectionate  friend,  &c. 

JAMES  HALL. 


Important  Letters 

COMMUNICATED    TO    THE    EDITOR 

BY    THE 

Rev.  Samuel  M'Cohkle, 

North  Carolina,  through  the  hands  of  Mr.  John  Langdon, 
of  Salisbury,  Rowan  County. 


Sir, 

IN  behalf  of  Mr.  Woodward  agreeably  to  your  re- 
quest I  send  you  facls  relative  to  the  Revival  which 
1  have  not  found  in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hall's  Narrative, 
They  are  taken  from  my  letter  book,  and  are  of 
different  dates,  your  friend  Mr.  Woodward  has 
my  liberty  to  make  any  religious  use  of  them  he 
may  think  proper.  I  know  that  they  are  facts, 
having  seen  or  heard  the  most  of  them  myself. 


L  E  T  T  E  R     1. 

Dated  Westfield,  Dec.  16,  1801, 
Sir, 

I  HAD  before  received  some  imperfect  accounts 
of  the  revival  in  Guilford,  Caswel  and  Orange 
Counties;  but  have  now  received  a  more  perfect  ac- 
count by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Flin.  A  remarkable  liber- 
tine, says  he,  has  been  lately  struck  down,  and  the 
stroke  has  silenced,  and  confounded  his  companions. 
The  preacher  and  people  frequently  remain  all  night 
on  the  ground  in  prayer,  exhortation  or  praise.     At 


(     20     ) 

a  late  meeting  three*  young  men  were  struck  down 
in  the  a6t  of  cutting  whips  to  correct  some  poor 
negroes  who  were  crying  for  merry;  our  brethren 
from  Orange  have  invited  us  to  meet  them  at  a  sacra- 
ment in  Randolph  on  the  first  day  of  the  New  Year. 
I  design  to  attend.     May  the  work   come  this  way, 

LETTER     II. 

January  8,   1802. 
Sir, 

1NOW  set  down  to  give  you  a  Narrative  of  the 
transactions  at  Randolph,  commencing  on  Fri- 
day January  1,  1802,  and  continuing  until  the  en- 
suing Tuesday. 

On  Thursday,  the  last  day  cf  the  last  year,  I  set 
out  from  home  for  Randolph,  and  lodged  in  Lexing- 
ton with  some  preachers,  and  a  number  of  people, 
mostly  from  Iredel,  going  on  to  the  same  place. 
The  evening  was  spent  in  prayer,  and  exhortation 
without  any  visible  effect.  Next  day  the  preachers 
arrived  at  the  Randolph-meeting-house;  but  the 
Iredel  company  lodged  5  miles  behind. 

On  Saturday  in  the  interval  of  two  sermons,  the 
congregation  (near  2000)  were  informed  that  the 
Jredel  company  were  religiously  exercised,  in  a 
sudden  and  surprising  matter,  at  evening  prayer  in 
the  family  or  house  where  they  lodged. 

This    struck,  with   seriousness   every    reflecting 
mind,  because  the   effect  did  not  appear   to    ari 
from   oratory  or  sympathy,    the   i  commonly 

gned  for  this  work. 

The  second  sermon  was  delivered,   and  the  b< 
diction  pronou::'(d  as  usual:   but  the  people  pair 
as  if  they  wished  not  to  part,   nor  go  either  to  th 
homes  or  encampments. 

v        ■      -     ■ 


(     21     ) 

Just  then  rose  a  speaker  to  give  a  short  pai 
exhortation:  but  wonderful  to  tell,  as  if  by  an  cleclric 
shock,  a  large  number  in  every  direction  men,  wo- 
men, children,  "white  and  black,  fell  and  cried  for  mei- 
cy;  while  others  appeared,  in  every  quarter,  either 
praying  for  the  fallen,  or  exhorting  bye-standers  to 
repent  and  believe. 

This,  to  me  perfectly  new  and  sudden  sight,  1 
viewed  with  horror;  and,  in  spite  of  all  my  previous 
reasoning  on  Revivals,  with  some  degree  of  disgust. 
Is  it  possible,  said  I,  that  this  scene  of  seeming 
confusion  can  come  from  the  Spirit  of  God?  or 
can  he  who  called  light  from  darkness,  and  order 
from  confusion  educe  light  and  order  from  such  a 
dark  mental,  or  moral  chaos  as  this!  Lord  God, 
thou  knowest. 

The  first  particular  object  that  arrested  my  at- 
tention was  a  poor  black  man  with  his  hands  raised 
over  the  heads  of  the  crowd,  and  shouting  "  Glory 
glory  to  God  on  high."  I  hasted  towards  him  from 
the  preaching-tent;  but  was  stopt  to  see  another 
black-man  prostrate  on  the  ground,  and  his  aged  mo- 
ther on  her  knees  at  his  feet  in  all  the  agony  of  pray- 
er for  her  son.  Near  him  was  a  black-woman,  grasp- 
ing her  mistress'  hand,  and  crying  "  O  mistress  you 
prayed  for  me  when  I  wanted  a  heart  to  pray  for 
myself.  Now  thank  God  he  has  given  me  a  heart 
to  pray  for  you  and  every  body  else. 

1  then  passed  to  a  little  white  girl,  about  7  years 
old.  She  was  reclining  with  his  eyes  closed  on  the 
arms  of  a  female  friend.  But  O  what  a  serene  an- 
gelic smile  was  in  her  face!   If  ever  heaven  was  en- 

V  ... 

joyed  in  any  little  creature's  heart  it  was  enjoyed  in 
tier's.  Were  I  to  form  some  notion  of  an  angel,  it 
would  aid  my  conception  to  think  of  her. 

I  took  her  by  the  hand,  and  asked  how  she  felt, 
she  raised  her  head,  opened  her  eyes,  closed  them, 
and  gently  sunk  into  her  former  state. 

I  met  her  next  day  with  2  or  3  of  her  little  com- 
panions, I  asked  her  how  she  felt  yesterday  ?  O  how 

D 


(     22     ) 

happy,'*  said  the  dear  little  creature,  with  ari  inef- 
fable smile,  and  I  feel  so  happy  now,  I  wish  every 
body  was  as  happy  as  I  am." 

I  asked  her  several  questions  relative  to  her  view3 
of  sin,  a  Saviour,  happiness  and  heaven;  and  she 
answered  with  propriety,  and  as  I  thought  rather 
from  proper  present  feelings  than  from  past  doctrinal 
or  educational  information:  for  when  I  was  after- 
wards called  to  examine  her  in  order  to  communion. 
I  found  her  defective  in  this  kind  of  knowledge,  and 
dissuaded  her  from  communicating  at  that  time,  tho* 
she  much  desired  it.  This  I  have  since  regretted, 
for  I  do  believe,  on  cool  reflection,  that  she  posses- 
sed that  experimental  knowledge  of  salvation,  which 
is  infinitely  preferable  to  all  the  doctrinal  or  syste- 
matic knowledge  in  the  world  without  it.  But  to 
return* 

I  pressed  through  the  congregation  in  a  circuitous 
direction  to  the  preaching  tent,  viewing  one  in  the 
agony  of  prayer ;  another  motionless,  speechless, 
and  apparently  breathless;  another  rising  in  triumph, 
in  prayer  and  exhortation.  Among  these  was  a  woman 
5  hours  motionless,  and  a  little  boy  under  12  years 
of  age  who  arose,  prayed  and  exhorted  in  a  won- 
derful manner.  After  themselves  I  observed  that 
their  next  concern  was  their  nearest  relations. 

After  this,  I  went  to  the  nearest  encampment, 
where  7  or  8  were  prostrate  on  the  earth;  while 
viewing  this  scene,  a  stout  young  man  fell  on  his 
knees  behind  me,  and  cried  for  mercy.  I  turned 
about.  He  asked  me  to  pray  for  him.  I  attempted 
it.  He  arose  with  some  assistance,  called  for  a  bro- 
ther, and  gave  him  and  the  bye-standers  a  most 
pressing  dissuasive  against  delaying  repentance;  this 
said  he,  has  been  my  own  case  until  I  saw  the  Iredel 
company  passing  by.  They  left  me  restless  and 
wretched.  I  was  forced  to  follow.  I  have  just 
come;  and  have  been  running  from  camp  to  camp, 
*till  I  was  able  to  go  no  farther.  I  now  cry  for 
mercy,  and  feel  determined  to  cry  until  I  find  it. 


(     23     ) 

After  I  had  gone  round  the  encampments,  I  went 
into  the  wood  to  see  a  large  number,  some  of  them 
jny  own  charge,  at  a  distance  from  the  camps.  Two 
or  three  had  retired  for  prayer  and  conversation,  and 
were  struck;  others  were  led  to  them  by  their  cries; 
some  of  whom  were  also  struck,  until  there  was  a 
large  company  of  spectators,  and  persons  exerci- 
sed. 

I  had  now  viewed  the  whole  as  a  spectator.  My 
mind  seemed  to  be  made  up  of  a  strange  mass  of 
sensations;  and  I  retired  for  a  moment  to  make 
some  serious  reflections. 

Still  did  the  notion  of  disorder  perplex  me.  What 
is  disorder,  said  I,  and  wherein  consists  its  crimi- 
nality? There  is  an  external  disorder  which  disturbs 
formal  organized  worship.  This  disorder  may  arise 
from  the  fainting  of  the  speaker,  or  of  any  of  the 
jhearers;  or  from  any  sudden  alarm,  as  Hervey  has 
stated  in  the  story  of  a  press-gang  in  a  sea-port  in 
England.  Has  organized  worship  been  disturbed 
at  Randolph.  No  !  Would  the  disturbance  be  crimi- 
nals if  it  were  involuntary?  certainly  No.  If  so 
Peter  might  have  been  disturbed  with  theory  of 
his  hearers,  and  Paul  with  the  fall  of  Eutychus 
from  the  third  loft.     Yet  there  was  no,  crime. 

Where  then  is  that  disorder  which  involves  guilt  I 
It  is  in  a  multitude  of  improper,  incoherent  and 
wandering  thoughts.  Do  such  thoughts  pass  through, 
the  minds  of  the  exercised,  or  of  serious  spectators? 
No.  —  An  awful  sense  of  the  majesty  of  God— ^a 
painful  sense  of  sin-nan  earnest  desire  to  be  de- 
livered from  it,  Sec.  &c.  surely  there  is  no  disorder 
here. 

I  see  criminal  disorder  through  roving  eyes,  and 
vacant  features.  I  see  it  in  the  conversation  of  an 
intoxicated  youth.  I  see  it  in  the  giddy  crowd  run- 
ning from  camp  to  camp,  without  a  fixed  object, 
and  I  see  it  in  the  conduct  of  those  profane  persons 
who  have  overturned  the  sacramental  tables,  and 
Sampled  them  under  their  unhallowed  feet.     This . 


(     21     } 

is  disorder  voluntary,  and  awfully  criminal.  But 
who  will  dare  to  say  this  of  the  poor  sinners  con- 
strained to  cry,  even  in  the  great  assembly,  "  Men 
and  brethren  what  must  we  do  to  be  saved." 

But  who  constrains?  I  answer  the  impression  is 
God's:  the  expression,  our<»;  and  will  ever  be  as 
the  suddeness  of  conviction,  the  weakness  or  energy 
of  the  mind;  and  the  sense  or  aggravations  of  its 
guilt. 

I  had  often  viewed  the  unity  and  variety  of  God's 
works,  and  thought  I  began  to  see  these  traits  here. 
What  a  sameness  in  the  exercises  of  all:  and  yet 
what  a  wonderful  variety  in  time,  place,  means,  and 
degrees  of  exercises!  What  a  sameness  and  variety 
in  the  persons,  faces  and  voices  of  men;  and  also 
in  the  natural  powers  and  dispositions  of  the  mind. 
Surely  the  God  of  nature  is  the  God  of  grace. 

Natural  affections  begin  with  self,  and  then  spread 
around:  so  do  the  affections  that  shew  themselves 
in  this  work.  First  what  shall  I  do  to  be  saved. 
Then  O  my  child,  my  brother,  or  sister,  "  Repent 
and  believe."  Surely  this  must  be  the  work  of  God, 
and  marvellous  in  our  eyes! 

After  all,  it  seems  an  astonishing  way  to  reform 
mankind.  It  is  not  the  way  I  would  take  to  do  it. 
But  what  is  conducted  as  I  would  conduct  it? — peace 
or  war — plenty  or  famine — pestilence  or  health — 
life  or  death?  No.  I  can  but  say  O  God  as  the 
heavens  are  higher  than  the  earth;  so  are  thy  thoughts 
above  our  thoughts,  and  thy  ways  above  our  ways. 

On  the  last  evening  of  the  solemnity  were  my  diffi- 
culties completely  removed  by  the  ardent  exercise 
of  a  man  near  three  score — a  man  far,  very  far  from 
enthusiasm,  and  its  constituents  melancholy  and  ir- 
rational devotion — a  man  whose  mind  was  enlight- 
ened, long  enlightened  with  the  rays  of  science  and 
religion. 

This  man  felt  no  pain,  nor  anxiety  for  himself. 
The  ardency  of  his  desire  or  prayer  was  first  excited 
for  a  particular  person  vjip  was  impressed:  but  his 


{     25     ) 

Ardency  seemed  to  rise  as  high  as  the  heavens,  and 
to  extend  wide  as  the  earth. 

It  seemed  as  if  God  then  vouchsafed  to  answer  his 
prayer,  to  rend  the  heavens,  and  come  down,  to 
shine  into  his  heart  to  give  the  light  of  the  know- 
ledge of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus;  and 
the  joy  unspeakable  even  raptures  that  arise  from 
such  a  view.  Never  was  prayer  offered  with  more 
ardor  for  the  extending  of  this  work;  nor  with  more 
firm,  and  unbounded  confidence  that  it  would  be 
extended. 

He  seemed  to  see  the  glory  of  all  the  divine  attri- 
butes at  one  view;  and  to  see  them  all  displayed  in 
the  progress  of  this  glorious  work.  He  has  never 
since  suspected  that  it  was  delusion;  but  has  mostly 
since  enjoyed, 

"  The  souls  calm-sunshine,  and  the  heart-felt  joy.'* 
Which  earth  can't   give,   and  which  earth  can't  de- 
stroy. 

And  he  has  ever  since  expressed  an  ardent  zeal 
to  promote  this  work. 


LETTER    III. 

February  4,   1802. 

THE  subject  of  this  letter  is  the  1st  meeting  in 
Iredel  called  the  third  creek-meeting,  on  this 
I  have  nothing  different  from  Mr.  Hall's  statement, 
except  these  remarks. 

"  That  persons  who  had  obtained  a  religious  edu- 
cation, and  were  moral  in  their  general  deportment, 
continued  longer  under  conviftive  impressions  than 
others  who  were  ignorant,  and  immoral;  but  the 
former  had  greatly  the  advantage  in  the  regularity 
cf  their  exercises,  and  in  the  facility  and  perspicuity 
with,  which  they  communicated  them." 


(     26     ) 

"  And  that,  though  very  young  and  bashftfl  per- 
sons might  pray  and  exhort  well  under  the  first  exer- 
cises or  impression;  yet  they  seldom  or  never  suc- 
ceed so  well  in  future.'' 

"  And  that,  though  very  young  people  have  gone 
as  far  as  education  or  genius  could  go;  yet  I  have 
never  seen  them  go  beyond.  It  is  indeed  saying  a 
great  deal  to  assert  that  they  have  gone  so  far. 


LETTER    IV. 

March  17,  1802. 

THE  subject  of  this  is  the  meeting  at  cross-roads, 
in  Iredel. 
The  extract  not  noticed  by  Mr.  Hall,  is  that  a 
system   of  Rules  was  agreed  to    by  the  ministers 
for  the  more  uniform  conducting  of  the  work.  These 
Rules  are : 

1.  That  persons  exercised  and  crying  for  mercy 
should  neither  be  disturbed  with  prayer  nor  exhor- 
tation, unless  when  they  requested  it;  or  were  verg- 
ing to  despair;  or  becoming  careless  without  gaining 
consolation. 

2.  That  when  consolation  came,  thanks  should 
be  given;  yet  not  in  such  terms  as  if  conversion 
and  salvation  were  entirely  certain:  but  only  in  a 
judgment  of  charity  hopefully  begun,  and  to  be 
manifested  by  a  future  humble  active  course  of  obe. 
die  nee  to  all  the  divine  commandments. 

These  Rules  were  suggested  by  viewing  the  con- 
duct of  some  who  seemed  to  push  impressed  persons 
too  hastily  along;  and  hazard  the  mistaking  of 
convictions  for  conversion.  Here  too  much  caution 
cannot  be  taken;  for  on  the  one  hand  is  danger  of 
kindling  sparks;  and  on  the  other,  of  establishing 


{    27    ) 

a  righteousness  of  our  own;  or  of  getting  confidence 
or  consolation  that  comes  not  from  the  comforter. 

To  these  two  Rules  might  have  been  added  two 
more.  1.  Never  to  make  it  an  object  in  prayer, 
preaching  or  exhortation  to  excite  bodily  affections; 
for  in  this  sense  bodily  exercise  profiteth  little.  It 
is  not  essential  to  true  religion;  and  is  even  now  but 
an  incidental  circumstance  which  the  wisdom  of  God 
in  directing  to  purposes  most  important  indeed. 
2.  That  young  people,  and  especially  children,  who 
had  spoken  feelingly,  and  sensibly  under  their  first 
impressions  should  not  be  pushed  forward  by  their 
friends  to  speak  again,  after  these  impressions  were 
abated  or  gone. 

Opposers  here  had  time  to  combine,  and  show 
themselves.  They  were  rather  sentimentally  than 
really  united.  One  class  were  infidels,  curiosity 
brought  them,  they  laughed  at  the  disputes  of  Chris- 
tians, and  cared  little  about  them.  Another  class 
were  the  Associates — They  were  in  angry  earnest 
and  wished  for  disputation.  Another  class  were  of 
the  baser  sort,  low,  vulgar  drunkards,  buffoons  and 
debauchees.  These  several  classes  were  seldom  op- 
posed otherwise  than  by  prayer. 


LETTER    V. 

April  2,   1802. 

THE  subject  of  this  is  the  meeting  at  New  Pro- 
vidence. 
Extract,  not  in  Mr.  Hall's  Narrative. 
At  this  meeting  has  been  demolished  an  infidel- 
objection  that  only  weak  nerves  and  minds  are  affec- 
ted in  this  work.  Here  I  saw  prostrate,  a  young 
man,  remarkable  for  the  robustness  of  his  body,  and 
energy  of  his  mind,  and  for  opposition  resolute  and 
determined. 


(     28     ) 

u  O  God,  were  his -very  words,  and  must  I  shrink 
now  ?  Must  I  lie  here  a  humble  spectacle  to  the  ga- 
zing crowd — after  a  pause  "  O  God  have  mercy" — 
but  after  another — "  Did  I  ever  ask  it  before?  No! 
but  often  for  curses." 

Another  young  man  the  largest  in  the  assembly 
was  stricken  down. 

But  the  most  remarkable  of  all  was  a  gentleman 
of  a  strong  constitution,  and  a  mind  enlightened, 
and  enlarged  by  science,  and  knowledge  of  the 
world — and  in  the  school  of  infidelity,  a  master. 

This  gentleman  I  saw  soon  after  he  was  struck. 
He  passed  a  night  in  horrors  indescribable.  I  heard 
him  declare  the  next  morning  that  he  believed  this 
to  be  a  supernatural  work;  and  urged  in  proof  the 
first  of  the  above  young  men  "  ay  horn  I  know,  said 
he,  to  have  both  strength  of  nerves,  and  energy  of 
mind;  and  yet  he  fell." 

His  own  Narrative  first  obtained  from  another, 
April  27,  1302,  and  afterwards  directly  from  him- 
self, May  22,  is  in  my  letter-book,  and  is  exactly 
as  folio v 


LETTER     VI. 

WAS,  said  he,  nearly  a  confirmed  deist;  and 
though,  religiously  educated,  despised  religion 
until  about  four  weeks  ago.  About  that  lime  a  largf 
meeting  was  held  at  Providence.  I  had  the  curiosity 
to  attend.  For  nearly  four  days  I  continued  on 
the  ground,  though  often  determined  to  leave  it 
without  any  unusual  impressions,  except  what  were 
occasioned  by  the  cries  of  the  distressed.  Al- 
though a:  sometimes  I  prayed  to  be  religiously 
impressed,  I  never  was  more  careless  and  har- 
dened in  my  life  until  Monday-evenifig,  when  sit- 
ting in  Mr.  's  tent,   reflecting  on  the  strength 

of  my  body,  and  happy  state  of  my  mind,  notwith- 


(  &  > 

Standing  my  fatigue  and  want  of  rest,  I  was  at  once, 
struck  with  an  unusual  sensation  in  my  heart,  which 
in  a  little;  time  pervaded  my  chest  in  general.  I  felt 
no  pain  but  apprehended  immediate  death.  I  en- 
deavoured to  remove  it  by  walking,  but  in  vain. 
Having  returned  to  the  tent  the  sensation  pervaded 
my  whole  body,  and  convulsions,  and  involuntary 
gnashing  of  teeth  ensued.  Instantaneously  these 
ceased,  and  1  became  as  one  dead  unable  to  move. 
While  this  continued  which  was  said  to  be  about 
two  hours,  I  experienced  a  dreadful  gloom,  and 
confused  horrors  of  mind,  but  had  no  particular 
view  of  my  sins.  This  resemblance  of  death  was 
succeeded  by  other  convulsions,  and  again  I  felt 
quiet;  and  until  morning  experienced  more  dread- 
ful horrors  which  encrcased  as  my  bodily  strength 
returned.  When  the  exercise  of  my  bodily  organs 
were  tolerably  recovered,  my  horrors  ceased  without 
being  able  to  assign  the  particular  cause  of  their 
removal. 

My  first  reflections  were  how  I  could  possibly 
make  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and  exhort  as 
others  were  doing.  A  plan  was  immediately  sug- 
gested ho.w  I  might  avoid  it,  which  was  to  attribute 
all  I  had  felt  to  fits;  and  say  I  had  been  subject  to 
them  before.  This  however  I  immediately  detected 
as  a  suggestion  of  the  devil,  and  discarded  resolving 
to  love  God  and  profess  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ, 
let  the  consequences  be  what  it  would.  I  then  be- 
gan to  enquire  what  could  be  the  cause  of  these 
new  and  sudden  resolutions;  for,  thought  I,  it  is 
scarcely  possible,  that  I,  who  have  been  one  of  the 
most  abandoned  sinners,  could  experience  a  change 
of  heart,  without  being  more  dreadfully  humbled  for 
my  sins,  I  then  indeed  saw  that  they  were  great  and 
of  a  most  aggravated  kind,  being  committed  against 
so  much  light  and  goodness.  And  although  I  could 
not  feel  humbled  for  them  as  I  wished,  and  as  I  know  I 
ought,  yet  the  Glory,  wisdom,  justice,  grace,  and  con- 
descension, of  God,  as  displayed  in  the  devise  of  sal- 

E 


(     30     ) 

Vation  through  a  Mediator  broke  in  upon  my  mind. 
My  soul  was  filled  with  admiration  and  love  at  the 
fulness  and  freeness  of  his  grace  in  Christ.  My 
heart  acquiesced  in  this  glorious  way  of  salvation, 
and  my  soul  was  drawn  out  in  love  to  the  holy  and 
blessed  Jesus.  Never  before  did  I  know  any  thing 
of  true  joy,  and  blessed  be  God  for  this  week  past, 
he  has  permitted  me  to  enjoy  his  smiles  almost  m  ith- 
out  interruption.  But  I  am  not  satisfied,  and  at  some- 
times am  led  to  fear,  the  whole  is  a  delusion,  but 
glory  to  God  if  it  should  be  so  it  is  an  incomparable 
sweet  one.  O!  how  sweet  to  contemplate  the  glo- 
rious character  of  Almighty  God,  and  his  infinite  love 
to  sinners  through  his  dear  Son. 

I  am  indeed  often  jealous  of  my  own  heart,  and 
this  often  leads  me  to  examine  with  great  care  my 
exercises,  and  compare  them  with  the  word  of  God; 
and  the  gracious  experience  mentioned  in  other 
good  books.  And  if  I  am  not  greatly  deceived,  I 
can  freely  renounce  all  that  is  most  dear  to  me  in 
the  world,  for  Christ  and  his  religion.  I  pray  the 
Lord  may  enable  me  to  persevere.  I  desire  to  thank 
him  I  have  been  enabled  to  day  at  court  to  silence 
near  a  dozen  of  my  old  deistical  companions,  by 
stating  to  them  my  own  experience.  My  case  eva- 
ded all  their  objections,  and  they  appeared  to  be 
struck  with  solemnity,  and  alarm. 


(     31     ) 


Connected  with  the  foregoing,  which  I  had  from  the 
gentleman's  own  hand,  is  the  following,  which  I  had 
from  the  hand  of  my  friend  and  neighbour,  the 
ReV.  John  Carrigan,  and  also  from  the  lips  of 
three  other  Clergymen,  who  were  eye  and  ear- 
witnesses.  To  render  the  account  more  authen- 
tic, I  haye  made  no  alterations  in  it,  and  indeed 
I  saw  no  need  to  make  any. 

SAMUEL  E.  M'CORKLE. 


LETTER    VII. 

North  Carolina,  Cabarris  County,  May  29,  1802. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  HERE  transmit  you  a  short,  but  I  think  import- 
ant, statement  of  facts,  to  which  I  had  the  plea- 
sure of  being  an  eye  and  ear-witness. 

On  a  late  Sacramental  occasion,  in  a  neighbouring 
society,  where  I  had  the  happiness  of  attending,  my 
attention  was  frequently  excited  afresh  by  new  and 
extraordinary  instances  of  awakening. 

None,  however,  appeared  so  pointedly  to  arrest 
the  public  mind  as  that  of  a  certain  gentleman,  who 
experienced  his  iirst  impressions  on  Sabbath  even- 
ing. His  own  declaration  was,  that  he  was  sensibly 
struck  in  the  forehead,  as  if  by  the  end  of  a  person's 
linger.  He,  supposing  the  stroke  to  be  of  the  apo- 
plectic kind,  became  alarmed  with  the  view  of  in- 
stant death — He  earnestly  desired  to  have  blood 
drawn,  crying  out  that  I  cannot  live — His  alarm  of 


(     32     ) 

death  gradually  abating  he  spent  the  night  almost 
in  silence;  but  still  disbelieved  it  to  be  the  work  of 
God's  Spirit. 

On  Monday  morning  I  was  awaked  by  his  bitter 
and  piercing  cries  at  a  distance — When  I  went  to 
him,  the  croud  (many  of  whom  were  in  tears)  was 
listening  to  his  lamentation,  which  was  to  the  fol- 
lowing purport: 

"  O  God  what  a  night  I  have  spent  in  struggling 
"  against  thy  Spirit — I  have  been  an  opposer  and  a 
"  despiser  of  this  work — I  came  here  with  no  better 
"  desip;n  yesterday  morning,  leaving  my  wife  and 
u  children  without  calling  them  together  for  prayer, 
"  or  even  a  wholesome  advice — I  would  not  let  them 
"  come — I  thought  I  was  strong — I  so  despised  the 
"  work  and  its  friends  as  to  begrudge  it  my  presence 
"  — I  had  philosophized  upon  it,  and  could  account 
"  for  it  all  to  my  satisfaction,  and  that  of  my  deisti- 
"  cal  friends  with  whom  I  had  the  greatest  happiness 

"  for  ten  years  past. But  where  did  that  philoso- 

<'  phy  come  from,  that  struck  me  in  the  forehead 
"  yesterday — O  God,  what  a  creature  have  I  been; 
*  and  yet  in  thy  unbounded  goodness  thou  hast 
"  taken  hold  of  me — O  the  unbounded  goodness  of 
tc  God— O  the  unbounded  goodness  of  God — O  the 
"  unbounded  goodness  of  God — When  I  came  here 
u  yesterday  morning  I  could  not  have  prayed  before 
"  four  persons,  or  sung  a  piece  of  a  hymn:  no  the 
"  fact  was  I  would  not  have  done  it — But  now  I 
"  could  wish  the  world  to  hear  me — O  my  friends 
"  it  is  the  work  cf  God,  it  is  the  work  of  God — O 
tc  yes  it  is — I  have  heard  of  christians  loving  one 
"  another,  and  of  one  person  feeling  interested  for 
"  the  salvation  of  their  fellow-sinners,  but  I  never 
""knew  what  it  meant  or  even  believed  that  there 
"  could  be  such  a  thing  till  now — Pausing  awhile 
11  he  added — what  a  change  has  tak(  -  j  lai  e  in  my 
u  mind  since  yesterday  iporning — My  wife  will  be 
;;  glad  to  see  it,  and  all  the  friends  of  J(  sus  will  rc- 

•  joice  with    li       0   God  thes<     impressions 


(     S3 

"  continue — I  am  afrai  high  professions,  but 

"  am  constrained  to  a  .  pledge,  from  my  present 
tk  feelings,  that  if  thi  world  with  all  its  glory  was  in 
•*  my  offer  I  would  )t  receive  it  as  an  inducement 
"  to  exchange  my  present  state  for  that  in  which  I 
'-•  was  yesterday — I  came  here  and  I  knew  not  what 
"  brought  me,  for  I  confess  I  had  not  the  approba- 
"  tion  of  my  own  will — I  came  not  to  hear  sermon, 
"  and  when  I  was  here  I  tried  to  hear  as  little  as  I 
ct  could;  but  God  has  laid  on  me  his  hand  in  mercy, 
•v  when  I  was  not  seeking  him." 

His  important  exercises  in  prayer  and  exhortation, 
should  all  be  noted,  Mould  fill  many  pages;  but  I 
have  noted  his  soliloqui  in  the  above  lines,  as  that 
through  which  we  may  take  the  most  immediate 
-\  lew  of  the  soul's  exercises,  when  under  the  convic- 
tive  operations  of  God's  Spirit. 

The  gentleman  has  the  advantages  of  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, and  has  always  so  far  as  I  have  been  acquainted, 
supported  a  good  moral  character,  but  till  that  period, 
by  his  own  confession,  had  never  suspected  that 
there  was  any  reality  in  religion,  but  scoffed  at  such 
pretensions. — I  suppose  he  is  a  little  above  forty 
years  of  a°;e. 


LETTER     VIII. 

May  28,   1802. 

I  HAVE  just  returned  from  a  general  meeting  at 
Waxhaws  in  S.  Carolina,  which  commenced 
on  Friday  21st  instant,  and  closed  on  the  ensuing 
Tuesday. 

About  20  ministers  of  various  denominations  at- 
tended, 120  waggons,  20  carts,  and  8  carriages, 
and  by  a  rough  computation  about  3500  persons,  of 
whom  more  than   100  were  exercised  on  the  occa- 


(     34     ) 

b\ony  few  of  whom  received  the  sensible  comfort  of 
religion. 

I  am  happy  that  I  attended,  because  I  have  return- 
ed with  answers  to  two  or  three  objections  which 
were  made  here,  against  the  least  degree  of  divine 
agency  .in  this  work. 

These  objections  originated  from  facts  that  had 
taken  place  at  two  common  sacramental  occasions, 
which  I  had  just  before  attended — one  in  the  vicinity 
— the  other  at  home.  At  the  first  of  these  the  oppo- 
sers  were  numerous,  wretched,  restless  and  daring. 
They  cursed,  and  scofted,  and  threatened,  and  for- 
tified themselves  with  ardent  spirits  to  prevent  the 
stroke,  or  animate  for  opposition.  And  yet  not  one 
of  them  were  struck  down. 

At  the  other  saerament,  a  number  of  females  were 
affected,  but  not  one  man.  These  circumstances 
could  not  escape  observation,  united  with  another 
viz.  that  it  is  at  the  close  of  all  our  meetings  when 
the  body  is  debilitated  and  the  mind  impressed  with  a 
long  series  of  dreadful  sights  and  sounds  that  by 
far  the  greater  number  fail. 

At  Waxhaws  I  saw  these  objections  vanish  away. 
About  20  persons  fell  the  first  day,  the  far  greater 
number  throughout  the  whole  occasion  were  men, 
and  few  opposers  escaped;  not  less  than  12  of  the 
most  notorious  fell. 

The  second  person  that  I  saw  struck  was  a  man 
who  had  boasted  that  he  would  not  fall.  However 
struck  he  was,  fled,  fell,  was  found,  and  brought 
to  a  tent  where  I  saw  him,  and  heard  him  cry  for 
mercy. 

Curiosity  had  compelled  another  to  attend;  and 
the  fear  of  falling  had  induced  him  to  drink  freely: 
so  that  it  was  doubtful  when  he  was  struck  down, 
wha  was  the  true  cause.  Time  determined.  I 
him  12  hours  after,  and  he  was  then  trying,  in 
language,  to  express  his  repentance,  love;, 
joy,  gratitudi  .  n  bolution,  and  hope. 


{     35     ) 

T  saw  another  soon  after  he  had  fallen.  His  com- 
panion was  gazing  on.  A  respectable  bye-stander 
told  me  that  they  were  racing  horses  into  the  en- 
campment that  morning;,  that  they  were  swearing 
and  talking  profanely,  that  the  fallen  had  boasted 
that  nothing  but  his  bottle  should  ever  bring  him 
down,  and  that  he  would  not  for  the  value  of  the 
whole  camp,  be  degraded  by  falling  for  any  thing 
else. 

Another  was  struck  down,  and  by  one  of  the  mi- 
nisters (who  told  me)  he  was  urged  to  pray.  This 
he  peremptorily  refused.  He  was  urged  again,  and 
then  declared  that  he  would  rather  be  damned  than 
pray. 

Such  a  comment  on  the  enmity,  and  pride  of  the 
human  heart  I  never  had  before. 

After  lying  all  night  on  the  ground,  he  crept  away 
the  next  morning,  and  I  heard  of  him  no  more. 

A  remarkable  occurrence  took  place  on  my  return 
not  far  from  the  encampment.  A  young  man  was 
exercised  in  a  thick  wood,  he  was  found,  and  then 
called  for  his  relatives,  and  neighbours,  to  whom  he 
gave  a  very  ardent  exhortation. 

His  exercises  were  joyful,  as  they  respected  him- 
self; but  became  painful  when  his  thoughts  turned 
on  his  thoughtless  or  opposing  relatives,  and  neigh- 
bours. But  the  most  singular  circumstance  was 
his  own  solemn  declaration,  that  he  had  experienced 
this  painful  work,  in  that  very  wood  long  before  he 
had  ever  seen  it  in  others  ;  and  therefore  he  cried  out 
with  unusual  animation.  "  O  my  friends,  this  work 
is  the  work  of  God,  and  not  sympathy,  as  some  of  you 
suppose." 


(     36     ) 


LETTER  IX. 

Narrative  of  proceedings  at  Jersey  Settlement,  Row- 
:::i  County,  North -Carolina, 

June  4 8,  1802 

A  SERMON  was  delivered  on  Friday  to  a  large 
thoughtless  disorderly  croud,  which  became 
gradually  composed  and  serious,  until  Monday,  which 
was  the  most  solemn  day  that  my  eyes  ever  beheld. 
Near  2000  persons  attended,  and  of  these  near  300 
were  exercised  throughout  the  occasion,  and  perhaps 
not  fewer  than  the  half  of  them  on  Monday. 

Nothing  very  unusual  at  such  meetings  appeared, 
until  Sunday  evening,  when  a  stout  negro  woman, 
who  had  been  all  day  mocking  the  mourners, 
fell  ;  and  fell  in  a  state  of  horror  and  despair  that  baf- 
fles description.  In  this  state  she  continued  with 
intervals,  for  three  hours.  I  viewed  her  all  the  time, 
and  it  was  impossible  for  my  imagination  to  conceive 
of  her  being  more  tormented,  had  she  actuallv  been 
in  hell. 

She  often  roared  out,  "  O  hell  !  hell!  hell!  Thy 
pangs  have  seized  me  !  O  torment !  tormtnt  !  What 
torments  me  !  Hell  can't  be  worse.  Let  me  go  there 
at  once.      It  is  my  dreadful  doom.''' 

She  saidshe  saw  hell-flames  below,  herself  hung 
over  by  a  thread,  and  a  sharp  bright  sword  drawn  to 
cut  it  through.  Her  exertions,  at  this  moment  noran- 
gel  nor  devil  could  describe.  Two  stout  negro-men 
were  no  match  for  her  struggles.  I  thought  of  the 
man  among  the  tombs  with  his  legion.  Such  an 
exercise  I  nc\  er  beheld,  and  I  hat  e  seen  not  less  than 
a  thousand.  No  one  that  saw  it,  ever  beheld  any 
thing  that  would  stand  in  comparison. 

At  intervals  she  cried,  l<  Ofor  mercy  !  but  what 
have  I  to  do  with  mere}-  ?   No  mercy  for  poor  mise- 


(     37     ) 

.able  rac.  Hope  however  began  to  prevail,  and  at  last 
she  shouted  "  Glory  glory"  as  loud,  and  as  long  as 
she  had  roared  out  "  Hell-torment"  before. 

Astonishing,  said  she,  **  I  have  mocked  the  mour- 
ners, boasted  that  I  could  stand,  been  in  hell,  and 
O  praise  God,  praise  him,  praise  him  he  has  brought 
me  out.  Never  never  let  me  forget  to  love,  and 
praise,  and  serve  my  God,  my  Redeemer." 

Very  different,  but  not  less  noticable  was  another 
exercise  on  Monday.  After  a  sermon,  and  two  exhor- 
tations— arose,  with  trembling  and  wild  consterna- 
tion, a  man  who  adjured  the  preachers  before  God 
to  say  on  their  conscience,  whether  they  did  believe 
the  necessity  of  these  convictions  which  they  had 
been  urging.  The  whole  assembly  was  struck  with 
solemn  astonishment.  The  preachers,  after  a  pause 
said  with  one  voice  '  We  do,  we  do  believe  it." 
He  then  turned  to  the  assembly,  and  begged  of 
those  who  had  felt  conviction  to  pray  for  him,  and 
others  who  had  not.  He  sat  down.  An  awful 
silence  ensued,  and  then  a  prayer  was  performed 
for  them. 

When  this  scene  ended,  he  rose,  and  called  on 
all  who  had  not  felt  conviction  to  join  with  him  in 
prayer  for  themselves.  After  a  short  pathetic  pray^ 
er,  he  retired. 

I  afterwards  conversed  with  him.  He  said  that 
he  had  never  suspected  our  sincerity;  but  wished 
to  have  the  assembly  impressed  with  our  public  de- 
claration; that  his  first  feeling  was  a  bodily  sensa- 
tion rising  from  his  bowels  toward  his  breast;  and 
that  with  this  sensation  arose  his  resolution  to  speak, 
and  an  impulse  irresistable  to  execute  it<  And  cer- 
tain am  I  that,  had  he  studied  for  a  year,  he  could 
have  devised  no  plan  that  would  have  produced  such 
a  solemn  effect  on  the  assembly* 

In  the  evening  he  was  severely  exercised,  and  ob- 
tained as  much  consolation  as  in  his  own  words  as 
"  such  a  sinner  could  expect."  "  This  said  he,  is 
the  chief  ground  of  my  consolation  that  I  feel  reso- 


(     38     ) 

lutions  made  with  a  temper  which  I  never  experien- 
ced before.  I  think  I  feel  that  I  am  acling  from 
principles,  and  that  I  feel  the  principles  from  which 
I  a&." 

This  man  possesses  a  large  portion  of  natural  un- 
derstanding, and  a  liberal  education;  but  regrets 
that  he  has  been  two  long  wandering  through  the 
wilds  of  infidelity  and  intemperance.  He  has  firmly 
resolved  to  abandon  his  old  companions,  chuse  new 
ones,  and  be  another  man.  May  God  enable  him 
so  to  do. 

What  wonders  are  doing  around  us !  What  think 
you  of  a  wedding — a  gay  giddy  bride — and  a  severe 
exercise  on  her  bridal  day  ?  All  this  has  happened  in 
the  vicinity  of  this  meeting,  and  but  a  few  days  be- 
fore it,  I  conversed  with  the  bride.  She  said  she 
had  thought  seriously  of  this  work  before;  but  was 
not,  when  struck,  thinking  seriously  about  any  tiling. 
She  was  struck  soon  after  the  ceremony  was  perfor- 
med, and  struck  in  such  an  awful  manner  that  for 
some  time  she  knew  not  what  was  the  matter.  Her 
friends  were  prodigiously  alarmed,  and  their  mirth 
turned  into  sober  sadness. 

She  at  last  obtained  a  little  consolation,  and  told 
me  she  was  earnestly  seeking  for  more. 

In  the  vicinity  of  this  place  is  a  man  of  mid-age 
who  was  struck  in  his  bed ;  and  a  young  woman- who 
experienced  all  this  work  in  secret  five  or  six  years 
before  ever  she  saw  it  in  others.  I  know  her,  and 
believe  that  she  abhors  a  lie. 

Westfield  August  9,  1802.  To  Mr.  Langdon  in 
Salsbuiy,  Rowan  County,  N.  Carolina. 

Your's,  Ike. 

SAMUEL  M'CORKLE. 


*ES53Sg^5SS5W—  ^^^^IL^I'H^r- >--,  t-5?5* 


Interesting  Account. 

A  copy  of  a  letter  from  Ebenezer  H.  Cummins, 
to  his  friend  in  Augusta,  dated  the  7th  of  July, 
1802,  in  which  is  contained  a  true  account  of  a 
great  meeting  held  in  the  district  of  Spartanburgh, 
South  Carolina. 


Abbeville,  (S.  C.)  July  7th  1802. 

My  Friend, 

I  HAVE  just  returned  from  Nazareth,  where  I 
have  seen  and  heard  things  which  no  tongue  can 
tell,  no  pen  can  paint,  no  language  can  describe,  or 
of  which  no  man  can  have  a  just  conception,  until 
he  has  seen,  heard  and  felt.  I  am  willing  that  you 
should  have  a  perfect  detail  of  all  the  circumstances 
attending  this  meeting;  and  of  all  occurrences  which 
there  took  place.  But  you  must  here  accept  the  ac- 
knowledgments of  my  inadequacy  to  draw  a  just  re- 
presentation ;  yet,  as  far  as  I  may  be  able,  I  will  now 
give  you  an  account  of  some  things. 

The  meeting  was  appointed  some  months  since  by 
the  Presbytery,  and  commenced  on  Friday,  the  2d 
inst.  The  grove  wherein  the  camp  was  pitched  was 
near  the  water  of  Tyger  River!  and  being  in  a  vale 
which  lay  between  two  hills  gently  inclining  towards 
each  other,  was  very  suitably  adapted  to  the  purpose. 
The  first  day  was  taken  up  in  encampment  until 
2  o'clock,  when  divine  service  commenced  with  a 
sermon  by  the  Rev.  John  B.  Kennedy.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  William  Williamson,  in  an  ad- 
dress explanatory  of  the  nature  and  consequences 


(     40    ) 

of  such  meetings.  The  assembly  was  then  dismis- 
sed. After  some  short  time,  service  commenced 
again  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  James  Gilleland ; 
who  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Wilson,  in  a 
very  serious  and  solemn  exhortation.  Afterwards 
the  evening  was  spent  in  singing  and  praying  alter- 
nately. About  sun-down,  the  people  were  dismis- 
sed to  their  respective  tents.  By  this  time  the 
countenances  of  all  began  to  be  shaded  by  the 
clouds  of  solemnity,  and  to  assume  a  very  serious 
aspect.  At  ten  o'clock  two  young  men  were  lying 
speechless,  motionless,  and  sometimes  to  all  ap- 
pearance, except  in  the  mere  acl:  of  breathing, 
dead.  Before  day,  five  others  were  down;  these 
I  did  not  see.  The  whole  night  was  employed 
in  reading  and  commenting  upon  the  word  of  God; 
and  also  in  singing,  praying  and  exhorting:  scarcely 
had  the  light  of  the  morning  sun  dawned  on  the 
people,  ere  they  were  engaged  in  what  may  be  call- 
ed family  worship.  The  adjacent  tents  collecting 
in  groupes,  here  and  there,  all  round  the  whole 
line.  The  place  of  worship  was  early  repaired  to, 
by  a  numerous  throng.  Divine  service  commenced 
at  8  by  one  of  the  Methodist  brethren,  whom  I  do 
not  recollect.  He  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Shackleford,  of  the  Baptist  profession.  Singing, 
praying  and  exhorting,  by  the  Presbyterian  clergy- 
men continued  until  two  o'clock;  when  an  intermis- 
sion of  some  minutes  were  granted,  that  the  people 
might  refresh  themselves  with  water,  &c.  By  this 
time,  the  audience  became  so  numerous,  that  it 
Mas  impossible  for  all  to  croud  near  enough  to  hear 
one  speaker;  although  the  ground  rising  about  the 
stage  theatrically,  afforded  aid  to  the  voice.  Hence, 
the  assembly  divided,  and  afterwards  preaching  was 
performed  at  two  stages.  An  astonishing  and 
solemn  attention  in  the  hearers,  and  an  animating 
and  energetic  zeal  in  the  speakers  were  now  every 
where  prevailing.  Service  commenced  half  after 
two  by  the  Rev.  John  Simpson  at  one  stage,  and 


(  41  ) 

at  the  other,  by  the  Reverend  James  M'Elhenney, 
who  were  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Francis  Cummings. 
After  these  sermons,  fervent  praying,  <kc.  were  con- 
tinned  until  and  through  the  night,  in  which  time 
many  were  stricken,  and  numbers  brought  to  the 
ground. 

The  next  morning,  (Sabbath  morning)  a  still 
higher,  if  possible,  more  engaged  and  interesting 
spirit  pervaded  the  whole  grove — singing  and  pray- 
ing echoed  from  every  quarter  until  eight  o'clock, 
when  divine  service  commenced  again  at  both  stages, 
before  two  great  and  crouded  assemblies. — The  ac- 
tion sermons  were  delivered  by  the  Rev.  Robert 
Wilson,  at  one  stage,  and  the  Rev.  William  Cum- 
mings Davis  at  the  other.  I  did  not  hear  Mr.  Wil- 
sou.  But  Mr.  Davis's  was  one  of  the  most  popular 
orthodox  gospel  sermons  that  I  ever  heard — No 
sketch,  exhibited  in  words,  would  be  adequate  to 
pourtray  the  appearance  of  the  audience  under  this 
discourse.  Imagine  to  yourself  thousands  under  a 
sense  of  the  greatest  possible  danger,  anxious  to  be. 
informed  in  all  that  related  to  their  dearest  interests, 
in  the  presence  of  a  Counsellor,  who  labouring 
with  all  his  efforts,  should  be  endeavouring  to  point 
out  the  only  way  to  security;  and  you  may  have 
some  faint  conception  of  this  spectacle. 

Thence  ensued  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper.  To  the  communion  sat  down  about  four 
hundred  persons.  It  was  a  matter  of  infinite  satis- 
faction, to  see  on  this  occasion  the  members  of  the 
Methodist  and  Presbyterian  churches  united;  all 
owning  and  acknowledging  the  same  God,  the  same 
Saviour,  the  same  Sancliner,  and  the  same  Heaven. 
We  are  sorry  to  add  that  the  Baptists  refused  to 
join;  whether  their  objections  were  reasonably  justi- 
fiable, we  shall  not  presume  to  say. 

The  evening  exercises,  although  greatly  interrup- 
ted by  the  intemperance  of  the  weather,  progressed 
as  usual,  until  about  dark;  when  there  commenced 
one  of  the  most  sublime,   awfully  interesting,  and 


(     42     ) 

glorious  scenes  which  could  possibly  be  exhibited 
on  this  side  of  eternity.  The  penetrating  Bighs,  and 
excruciating  struggles  of  those  under  exercise;  the 
grateful  exultations  of  those  brought  to  a  sense  of 
their  guilty  condition,  and  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
way  to  salvation;  mingled  with  the  impressions 
■which  are  naturally  excited  by  the  charms  of  music 
and  the  solemnity  of  prayer  on  such  occasions; 
and  to  all  this  added  the  nature  of  the  scenery,  the 
darkness  of  night  and  the  countenances  of  the  spec- 
tators, speaking  in  terms  more  expressive  than  lan- 
guage, the  sympathy,  the  hope  and  the  fear  of  their 
hearts,  were  sufficient  to  bow  the  stubborn  neck  of 
infidelity,  silence  the  tongue  of  profanity,  and  melt 
the  heart  of  cold  neglect,  though  hard  as  adamant. 

This  scene  continued  through  the  night.  Monday 
morning  dawned  big  with  the  fate  of  its  importance. 
The  morninff  exercises  were  conducted  as  usual. 
About  half  after  seven,  the  assembly  met  the  minis- 
ters at  the  stage,  and  service  commenced  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Waddel.  After  which  ensued,  singing, 
exhorting  and  a  concert  of  prayer.  At  length  the 
business  closed  with  an  address,  energetic  and  ap- 
propriate, by  the  Rev.  Francis  Cummins.  In  the 
course  of  this  day  many  were  stricken,  numbers  of 
whom  fell. 

I  cannot  but  say  that  the  parting  was  one  of  the 
most  moving  and  affecting  scenes  which  presented 
itself  throughout  the  whole.  Families,  who  had 
n .  \  er  s<  en  each  other  until  they  met  on  the  ground, 
would  pour  forth  the  tears  of  sympathy,  like  streams 
of  waters,  many  friendships  were  formed,  and  ma- 
il} attachments  contracted,  which,  although  the 
persons  may  never  meet  again,  shall  never  be  dis- 
solved. 

Not  one  quarter  of  an  hour  before  I  mounted  my 

horse  to  come  away,  1  saw  one  of  the  most  beautiful 

sights  which  ever  n  eheld.     It  would  notonly 

have  afforded  pleasure  to  the  plainest  observer,  but 

proioundest  Philosopher  would  have  found  in  it 


(      43     ) 

food  for  his  imagination.  The  case  to  which  I  allude 
was  the  exercise  of  Miss  Dean,  one  of  the  three 
sisters  who  fell  near  the  close  of  the  work.  Her 
reflections  presented  mostly  objects  of  pleasure  to 
her  view.  But  sometimes,  for  the  space  of  a  minute, 
she  would  Iolic  them;  the  consequence  of  which 
was  painful  distress.  By  the  very  features  of  her 
face  I  could  see  when  her  afflictive  sensations  ap- 
proached, as  plain  as  ever  I  saw  the  sun's  light 
obscured  by  the  over-passing-  of  clouds.  In  her 
happy  moments  she  awakened  in  my  recollection 
Milton's  lively  picture  of  Eve  when  in  a  state  of 
innocence. 

Another  extraordinary  case  occurred  at  the  very 
moment  of  departure.  Two  men  disputing,  one 
for,  the  other  against  the  work,  referred  their  contest 
to  a  clergyman  of  respectability,  who  happened  to 
be  passing  that  way.  He  immediately  took  hold  of 
the  hand  of  the  unbeliever,  and  thus  addressed  him: 
"  If  you  were  in  your  heart's  desire  to  wait  on  the 
means  of  grace,  God  would  shew  you  the  truth. 
You  may  expect  mercy  to  visit,  you ;  but  remember, 
my  hand  for  it,  it  will  cost  you  something;  a  stroke 
would  not  now  come  at  a  successless  hour."  Scarce- 
ly had  the  words  dropped  from  his  lips,  when  the 
man  was  on  the  ground  pleading  for  an  interest  in 
the  kingdom  of  Heaven,  and  begging  pardon  of 
God  for  his  dishonouring  him  and  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion, through  unbelief.  I  understood  the  man  to 
be  a  pious  man,  and  his  hesitations  of  a  religious 
and  conscientious  kind. 

Two  other  men  who  had  been  in  the  croud,  where 
many  were  lying  under  the  operations  of  the  work, 
attempted  to  run  off.  One,  leaving  his  hat  in  his 
haste,  ran  about  twenty  or  thirty  paces  and  fell  on 
his  face.  His  shrieks  declared  the  terrors  and  an- 
guish under  which  he  laboured.  The  other  ran  a 
different  course  about  fifty  yards,  and  fell. 

The  number  of  those  who  were  stricken  could 
not  be  ascertained,  but  I  believe  it  to  be  mx 


(     44     ) 

greater  than  any  one  would  conceive.  On  Sabbath 
night  about  12,  or  1  o'clock,  I  stood  alone  on  a 
spot  whence  I  could  hear  and  sec  all  over  the  camp; 
and  found  that  the  work  was  not  confined  to  one,  two 
or  three  places,  but  over-spread  the  whole  field; 
and  in  sonic  large  crouds  the  ground  appeared  almost 
covered.  In  the  course  of  one  single  prayer,  of 
duration  about  ten  minutes,  twelve  persons  fell  to 
the  ground:  the  majority  of  whom  declared  in  terms 
audible  and  explicit,  that  they  never  prayed  be- 
fore* 

There  attended  on  this  occasion  thirteen  Presby- 
terian  preachers,  (viz.)  Messrs.  Simpson,  Cummins, 
Davis,  Cunningham,  Wilson,  Waddel,  Williamson, 
Brown,  Kennedy,  Gillcland,scn'r.  M'Elhenney, Dix- 
on and  Gillekmd,  junior;  and  an  unknown  number 
of  Methodists  and  Baptists. 

The  multitude  on  this  occasion  fer  exceeded  any 
tiling  which  had  come  under  my  observation.  There 
were  various  conjectures  of  the  numbers  present; 
some  allowed  three,  some  four,  some  live,  some  six, 
seme  seven,  and  some  eight  thousand.  I  had  not 
been  in  the  habit  of  seeing  such  multitudes  together, 
and  therefore  do  not  look  upon  myself  capable  of 
reckoning  any  ways  accurately  on  the  subject.  But 
I  do  candidly  believe  five  thousand  would  not  be  a 
vague  conjecture.  The  district  of  Spartanburgh, 
where  the  meeting  was  held,  contains  no  less  than 
id    souls.      Men  of  information   who 

tided  therein,   said,  to  one   who  might   be  travel- 
ling, the  country  would  appear  almost  depopulated, 
ana  hesitated  nut  in  the  least  to  say  two-third* 
the  inhabitants  were  present.     Now  supposing  oni\ 
third  :.<  ucd,  from  that  district  itself", 

there    would  have    been   four   thousand.     Besid< 
then.-  \  ere  multitudes   from  the  districts  of  Union. 
York,  Laurens  and  ville;  Numbers  MromPen- 

Abbevjlle,  Chester  and  Newbury,  and  som: 
from  Green,  Jackson,  Libert  and  Franklin  counties, 
of  the  state  of  Georgia. 


(     45     ) 

Of  carriage*,  the  number  was  about  two  hundred, 
Including  waggons  and  all  other  carriages. 

In  a  thinking  mind  an  approach  to  the  spot,  en- 
gendered awful  and  yet  pleasing  reflection.  The 
ideas  which  necessarily  struck  the  mind  were,  thou- 
sands in  motion  in  a  point,  where  to  meet,  tell,  hear, 
see  and  reel  the  mighty  power  of  God.  Believe  me 
sir,  no  composition  can  exaggerate  the  spirit  of  one 
by  their  occasions,  although  facts  maybe  misrepre- 
sented. For  a  lively  miniature,  I  refer  you  to  an 
extract  of  a  letter,  contained  in  a  book  lately  pub- 
lished and  entitled,  "  Surprizing  Accounts;"  where 
this  expression  is  used,  "The  slain  of  the  Lord 
Were  scattered  over  the  fields." 

To  those  who  would  obviate,  ridicule  and  still 
entertain  a  doubt  of  the  divinity  of  the  Work,  I 
would  reply  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Watts:  — 

"  LAUGH  ye  profane  and  swell  and  burst, 

With  bold  impiety; 
Yet  shall  ye  live  forever  cursed 

And  seek  in  vain  to  die* 

*'  Te  stand  upon  a  dreadful  steep, 

And  all  beneath  is  hell; 
Tour  weighty  guilt  will  sink  you  deep, 

Where  the  old  serpent  fell. 

"  Then  you'd  confess  the  frightful  names, 

Of  plagues  you  scorn' d  before, 
No  more  shall  look  like  idle  dreams, 

Like  foolish  tales  no  more.'''* 

I  cannot  omit  mentioning  an  idea  expressed  hf 
Mr.  Williamson.  After  taking  a  view  of  the  gene- 
ral prevalency  of  dissipation  and  slothful  neglect  in 
religious  affairs,  he  concluded,  saying,  "  These 
works  appear  like  the  last  efforts  of  the  Deity  to 
preserve  his  church,  and  promote  the  cause  of  re- 
ligion on  this  earth,"  To  see  the  brilliancy  and  sub. 

G 


(     *<3     ) 

limity  of  this  idea,  we  need  only  rocur  to  the  state 
of  society  for  a  few  years  back ;  especially  in  the 
southern  states  of  United  America,  when  and  where, 
Satan  with  all  his  influence  appeared  to  be  let  loose 
and  was  going  about  like  a  roaring  lion,  seeking 
whom  he  might  devour. 

This  extraordinary  work  carries  in  itself,  demon- 
stratively the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion.  Men 
who  fall,  and  many  there  are  who  have  paid  no  at- 
tention to  the  holy  scriptures,  yea,  even  infidels  of 
the  deepest  dye,  cry  out  "  their  sinful  state  by  na- 
ture," "  their  alienation  from  God,"  and  man's  in- 
capacity to  satisfy  the  justice  of  the  law  under  which 
he  stands  condemned,"  "  and  of  course  the  abso- 
lute necessity  of  a  Redeemer."  When  receiving 
comfort  from  this  last  consideration,  I  heard  none 
crying  for  Mahomed,  Bramma,  Grand  Lama  or 
Hamed;  none  but  Christ  was  their  healing  balm,  in 
him  alone  were  all  reliance  fixed,  on  him  alone  was 
all  dependance  placed. 

It  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  draw  an  in- 
telligible representation  of  the  effects  of  this  work 
upon  the  human  body.     Some  are  more  easily  and 
gently  wrought   than  others;  some  appear  wholly 
wrapped  in    solitude;   while    others   cannot  refrain 
from  pouring  out  their  whole  souls  in  exhortations 
to  those  standing  round;   different  stages,  from  mild 
swoons  to   convulsive    spasms,  may   be  seen ;   the 
nerves  are  not  unfrequently  severely  cramped;  the 
subjects  generally  exhibit  appearances,    as  though 
their  very  hearts  would  burst  out  of  their  mouths : 
the  lungs  are  violently  agitated  and  all  accompanied 
with  an  exhalation;    they  universally  declare  that 
they  feel  no  bodily  pain  at  the  moment  of  exercise, 
although  some  complain  of  a  sore  breast  and  the  ef- 
fects of  a   cramping,  after  the    work  is  over;    the 
pulse  of  all  whom  I  observed  beat  quick  and  regu- 
lar, the  extremities  of  the  body  are  sometimes  per- 
ceptibly cold.     In  short,  no  art   or  desire    would 
imitate  the  exercise.     No  mimic  would  be  able  to 


[     47     ) 

do  justice  to  the  exhibition.  This  demonstrates  the 
error  of  the  foolish  supposition  of  its  being  feigned. 
I  will  conclude,  my  dear  Sir,  acknowledging  that 
all  I  have  here  written  is  incompetent  to  give  you 
any  complete  idea  of  the  work.  Therefore  to  you 
and  all  who  wish  to  be  informed,  I  say,  come,  hear, 
see,  and  feel. 

I  am  your's,  respectfully, 

EBENEZER  H.  CUMMINS. 


18     ) 


THE  POWER  OF  CONSCIENCE. 

CONSCIENCE  is  that  power  of  our  minds  which  com- 
pares our  aeYion:s  with  the  law  of  God,  approving  that 
which  is  good,  and  condemning  that  which  is  evil.  Too 
often  it  is  dormant,  unfaithful  or  denied,  and  fometimes 
callous,  "  feared,  as  it  were,  with  a  hot  iron."  Ignorance 
of  the  fpirituality  of  God's  law,  hardnefs  of  heart,  and 
habits  of  fin,  together  with  wrong  notions  of  the  way  of 
reconciliation  to  God,  keep  the  foul  in  a  falfe  peace.  Ne- 
verthelefs,  when  perfons  commit  atrocious  actions,  crimi- 
nal even  in  the  eyes  of  natural  men,  and  deftrucYive  of  the 
bonds  by  which  human  fociety  is  held  together,  it  is  often 
found  impollible  to  iilence  the  clamours  of  an  accufing  con- 
fcience  ;  and  death  itfelf,  in  its  moft  dreadful  forms,  is  pre- 
ferred to  the  intolerable  gnawings  of  this  agonizing  worm. 
Permit  me  to  illuftiate  this  fad  truth,  by  the  following 
anecdote,  with  which,  probably,  few  of  your  readers  are 
acquainted*. 

"  A  jeweller,  a  man  of  good  character  and  confidera- 
ble  wealth,  having  occafion,  in  the  way  of  his  bulinefs,  to 
travel  at  fome  diltance  from  the  place  of  his  abode,  took 
along  with  him  a  fervant,  in  order  to  take  care  of  his  port- 
manteau. He  had  with  him  fome  of  his  beft  jewels,  and  a 
large  fum  of  money,  to  which  his  fervant  was  likewife  privy. 
The  mailer  having  occafion  to  difmount  on  the  road,  the 
fervant  watching  his  opportunity,  took  a  piflol  from  his  maf- 
ter's  faddle,  andihot  him  dead  on  the  fpot  ;  then  rifled  him 
of  his  jewels  and  money,  and  hanging  a  large  flone  to  his 
neck,  he  threw  him  into  the  neareft  canal.  With  this  booty 
he  made  off  to  a  diftant  part  of  the  country,  where  he  had 
reafon  to  believe  that  neither  he  nor  his  matter  were  known, 
There  he  began  to  trade  in  a  very  low  way  at  firft,  that  his 
obfcurity  might  fcreen  him  from  obfervation  ;  and  in  the 
courfc  of  a  good  many  years,  fcemed  to  rife,  by  the  natu- 
ral progrefs  of  his  bufmefs,  into  wealth  and  confideration  ; 

*    Related  by  Mr.  .' 

•  401,    and  inserted  in  the  K  i  Britannic  a,  Vol.    V. 

fart  J.  as  a  real   occurrence  which   happened  in  a    neighb 
state  not  many  years 


{     *9     ) 

fo  that  his  good  fortune  appeared  at  once  the  effect  and  re- 
ward of  induftry  and  virtue.  Of  thefe  he  counterfeited  the 
appearance  fo  well,  that  he  grew  into  great  credit,  married 
into  a  good  family,  and  by  laying  out  his  hidden  itores  dif- 
creetlv,  as  he  few  occafion,  and  joining  to  ail  an  univerfal 
affubilitv,  he  was  admitted  to  a  ihare  of  the  government  of 
the  town,  and  rofe  from  one  polt  to  another,  till  at  lengtn  he 
was  chofen  chief  magiftratc.  In  this  office  he  maintained  a 
fair  character,  and  continued  to  fill  it  with  no  fmall  applaufe, 
both  as  governor  and  a  judge  ;  till  one  day,  as  he  fat  on  the 
bench  with  fome  of  his  brethren,  a  criminal  was  brought  be- 
fore him  who  was  accufed  of  murdering  his  matter.  The 
evidence  came  out  full,  the  jury  brought  in  their  verdict  that 
the  prifoner  was  guilt}',  and  the  whole  affembly  waited,  with 
great  fufpence,  the  fenter.ee  of  the  prehdent  of  the  court, 
which  he  happened  to  be  on  that  day.  Meanwhile  he  ap- 
peared to  be  in  unufual  difordcr  and  agitation  of  mind, 
and  his  colour  changed  often  ;  at  length  he  arofe  from  his 
feat,  and  coming  down  from  the  bench,  placed  himfelf  juft 
by  the  unfortunate  man  at  the  bar.  "  You  fee  before  you, 
"  faid  he,  (addrefiing  himfelf  to  thofe  who  had  fat  on  the 
"  bench  with  himj,  a  ftnking  infUmce  of  the  juft  rewards 
"  of  heaven,  which  this  day,  after  thirty  years  conceal- 
"  ment,  prefents  to  you  a  greater  criminal  than  the  man 
"juft  now  found  guilty."  Then  he  made  an  ample  con- 
feifion  of  his  guilt,  and  of  all  its  aggravations.  "  Nor  can 
"  I  feel,  continued  he,  any  relief  from  the  agonies  of  an 
**  awakened  confeience,  but  by  requiring  that  juftice  be 
"  forthwith  done  againft  me,  in  the  moil  public  and 
*  folemn  manner."  We  may  eafily  fuppofe  the  amaze- 
ment of  all  the  affembly,  and  efpecially  of  his  fellow- 
judges.  However,  they  proceeded,  upon  this  confeffion, 
to  pafs  fentence  upon  him,  and  he  died  with  all  the  fymp- 
toms  oi  a  penitent  mind. 

Dear  Reader,  let  this  remarkable  difplay  of  the  power 
of  confeience,  remind  you  of  what  will  happen  in  the  great 
day.  In  the  procefs  of  eternal  judgment,  the  books  will  be 
opened.  Probably,  the  book  of  God's  holy  law — the  book 
of  God's  remembrance,  and  the  book  of  conscience  ; — this 
will  prove  an  exact  counterpart  of  the  former.  The  wri- 
ting in  this  book  is  faint,  feldom  reviewed,  and  fcarcely 
legible  ;  like  that,  fays  one,  which  is  written  with  the 
juice  of  lemons,  not  to  be  read  till  brought  to  the  fire. 
That  fire,  which  fhali  try  every  man's  work,  will  render 
this  writing  legible  to   all  the  -  arid,  and  the  operation  of 


(     50     ) 

conscience,  in  every  unpardoned  finner,  fhall  be  as  mighty 
as  in  the  inftance  juft  related. 

Happy  believer,  who,  convinced  of  fin,  and  felf-con- 
demned,  halt  already  known  the  power  of  confcience,  haft, 
had  the  molt  lively  feeling  of  fin  and  its  fatal  defert;  who, 
in  confequence  of  this,  haft  fled  to  the  crofs  for  refuge ; 
whole  "  heart  is  fprinkled  from  an  evil  confcience"  by  the 
blood  of  Chrift;  and  who  can  liften  to  "the  anfwer  of  a 
good  confcience  by  the  refurreclion  of  Jefus  from  the 
dead." 

Refolve,  by  divine  grace,  with  Job,  that  thine  heart  (hall 
not  reproach  thee  with  allowed  fin  as  long  as  thou  liveft  ; 
und  labour,  with  Paul,  to  maintain  always  a  confcience 
\«icl  of  offence  towards  God  and  man. 

G.  B. 


THE  FOLLY  OF  ATHEISM. 

AN    ODE    EY    DR.    DARWIN. 

"  Jam  fearfully  and  xioriderfully  made" 

DULL  Atheift!  could  a  giddy  dance 
Of  atoms  Iawlefs  hurled, 
Conftrucl  fo  wonderful,  fo  wife, 

So  harmonized  a  world  ? 
Why  do  not  Arab's  driving  fands, 

The  fport  of  every  ftorm, 
Fair  freighted  fleets,  the  child  of  chance, 

Or  gorgeous  temples  form? 
Prefumptuous  wretch  1  thyfelf  furvey, 

That  leffer  fabric  fcan  ; 
Tell  me  from  whence  th'  immortal  duft, 

The  god,  the  reptile  man  ? 
Where  waft  thou,  when  this  pop'lous  earth 

Front-chaos  burft  its  way, 
When  ftars  exulting  fang  the  morn, 

And  hail'd  the  new-born  day  ? 
What,  when  the  embryo  fpcck  of  life, 

The  miniature  of  man, 
Nurs'd  in  the  womb,  its  (lender  form 

To  ftretch  and  fv/ell  began  ? 
Say,  didft  thou  warp  the  fihre  woof? 

Or  mould  the  fentient  brain  ? 
Thy  ringers  ftretch  the  living  nerfe ! 

Or  fill  the  purple  vein? 


(     51     ) 

Didit  thou  then  bid  the  bounding  heart 

Its  endlefs  toil  begin  ? 
Or  clothe  in  flelh  the  hard'ning  bone, 

Or  weave  the  filken  ikin  ? 
Who  bids  the  babe,  to  catch  the  breeze, 

Expand  his  panting  bread  ; 
And  with  impatient  hands,  untaught, 

The  milky  rill  arreft  ? 
Or  who  with  unextinguifh'd  love. 

The  mother's  bofom  warms, 
Along  the  rugged  paths  of  life 

To  bear  it  in  her  arms? 
A  God  !  a  God  !  the  wide  earth  lhouts*, 

A  God  !  the  heavens  reply  ; 
He  moulded  in  his  palm  the  world, 

And  hung  it  to  the  Iky. 
Let  us  make  man  ! — With  beauty  cla  , 

And  health  in  every  vein  ; 
And,  reafon  thron'd  upon  his  brow, 

Step'd  forth  majeftic  man. 
Around  he  turns  his  wond'ring  eyes. 

All  nature's  works  surveys  ; 
Admires  the  earth  !  the  fkies  !  himfelf '. 

And  tries  his  tongue  in  praise. 
Ye  hills  and  vales  !  ye  meads  and  woods  ! 

Bright  fun,  and  glitt'ring  ftars  1 
Fair  creatures,  tell  me,  if  you  can, 

From  whence  and  what  I  am  r* 
What  parent  power,  all  great  and  good. 

Do  thefe  around  me  own  ; 
Tell  me,  Creation,  tell  me  how 

T'  adore   the  vafl  Unknown  1 


A'  POEM, 

knieltj   written  by  a  yoimg  Lady  of  Philadelphia,  after  the 
death  of  her  Father. 

I 

J^  KOU  uncreated  source  of  JagV  ., 
In  times  of  dark  distress, 

O !  send  a  ray, 

To  point  my  way, 
Lest  I  thy  laws  transgress. 


*  Acsgrding  to  his  M.  S.  cepj. 


(     52     ) 


ii. 

When  r.a-l  perplexities,  invade 
And  rend  my  tortur'd  breast, 

Ne'er  let  my  heart 

From  thee  Aep< 
But  on  thee  fix  its  rest. 

III. 
O!  send  thy  spirit  to  instrufl, 
Teach  me  to  beresjgn'd, 

And  condescend, 

My  mind  to  bend, 
To  what's  for  me  design 'd. 

IV. 
From  fond  attachments  wean  my  thoughts* 
If  idols  they  become, 

My  way-worn  heart, 

Inclin'd  to  part, 
With  all  I  ought  to  shun. 

V. 
Weak  and  short  sighted  Lord  I  am, 
Unknowing  what  to  do ; 

What  to  refuse, 

Or  what  to  choose, 
What  fly,  or  what  pursue. 

VI. 
Eut  thou  hast  promis'd  to  give  light, 
To  those  who  do  not  see, 

This  promise  I, 

Claim  and  rely, 
That  thou'lt  enlighten  rrx. 

VII. 
Beyond  the  path  thy  Law  present 
Let  not  my  foot -steps  stray, 

N  Jr  vanities, 

Nor  world! j  j 
.  up  the  Her. 

VIII. 
Thou'st  said,  a  father  thou  wilt  fe?. 
Unto  the  fatherless ; 

Thou  God  of  truth; 

Then  guide  my  youth, 
Up  through  this  wilder: 

IX. 
When  head-strong  passions  taketh* 
Subdue  them  by  thv  grace, 

Or  when  my  heart, 

With  cro*sses  smart, 

eak  it  into  peace. 
X. 
Thus  lowly  bending  at  thy  thi 
With  all  my  wants  I  come, 

Oh  !  leave  me  not, 

To  carve  my  lot. 
But  let  thy  wid  be  d 


